Autumn Rose Reo

Sopapilla Popcorn

May 5, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, celebrate with Sopapilla Popcorn! Easy to make, easy to eat and family friendly!

Popcorn.

There’s nothing like it. The smell. The taste. The crunch.

When you head to the movies, it’s a must have.

Hosting a movie night at home, it’s a must have.

This universal crowd pleaser has kept The Popcorn Store alive and poppin’ since 1982. That’s right, a whole store dedicated to the art of popcorn. And with more than 40+ flavors, you’d think they had thought they had created them all…

BUT along came Pinterest and Food Network…and now you can find every kind of popcorn imaginable. Savory. Sweet. Whatever.

Except I didn’t find this one. That’s like a Holy Grail.

The idea came to me as my kiddo asked if he could order a sopapilla or churro during a recent trip to our favorite Tex-Mex stop.

Sopapillas are one of those desserts…just saying the name is almost as fun as eating them. Warm airy pillows of cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, and cinnamon – all dripping with honey.

Don’t even get me on honey. Liquid gold. If you can get your hands on local (real local honey) then consider yourself lucky. Everything’s better with good honey.

Such a decadent treat – how could it be bad on popcorn?

Sugar. Honey. Cinnamon. Like a sweet mirepoix.

Add the popcorn and you can almost hear the strumming from the mariachi band begin to play.

And so easy you really don’t need a recipe.

But why not!

HOWEVER, before you throw in that microwave package of popcorn…do tastebuds a favor and go au natural with your kernels.

Use this if you wish, or just throw in a quarter cup of kernels into a glass bowl, place a plate on the top (big enough to cover the rim), and put it in the microwave. Depending on your microwave, cook for 3-4 minutes and aha viola! or in this case, popped corn.

Don’t believe me, try it. Really. It’s that easy. And you’ll never go back. Especially if you find out what’s in that bag of store-bought microwaved popcorn.

So let’s sopapilla!

Sopapilla Popcorn

Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com

Print Recipe

Description

OMG

Ingredients

Scale

5 cups popcorn, popped
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3–4 tablespoons honey

Instructions

Fill a bowl with popcorn and set aside.
In a bowl, combine sugars and cinnamon together and blend.
Pour sugar mixture over the popcorn and toss (be careful not to crunch the popcorn.)
Pour honey all over the popcorn, being careful to get it over most the popcorn.
Toss carefully.
Inhale the aroma and enjoy!

Just remember this is best fresh and warm so and with a recipe this easy, why would you make it any other way! To store though, make sure you place in a sealed bag or your sopapilla popcorn may taste like sopapillas five hours later…gross.

Breakup with Your No-Break Policy

May 2, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

Feel so busy that the idea of a break makes you laugh? Actually, breaks make you better. A better employee. A better spouse. A better mom. It’s time to Breakup with Your No-Break Policy.

Thanks to Cafe Breaks for this sponsored post.

Break.

Spring break.

Summer break.

A long sound followed by “Did it break?”

Depending on the inflection in your voice and where you are in your life, those words can cause total and utter panic, sadness, and some pretty cringe-worthy reactions.

Of course they do – for many of us, especially moms, they actually translate as actual more work.

I know that in my head, the word “break” hasn’t ever been something that I have ever considered a positive.

If I was taking a break, I was missing out. (FOMO would be the right verbiage here.)

If I took a break, that meant I wasn’t getting it done.

If we’re talking spring or summer break, that’s work. I love my kids and love the opportunity to be with them more, but that means the cruise director / taxi driver hat comes out of storage. It’s work. Plan the camps, pack the vacations, keep the “mom, I’m bored” moments at bay – that’s all work.

That’s part of the reason I don’t normally sit down all down long for a break. I wait the whole day, when I can’t manage to do anything else at all OR it’s finally time to go to bed. Otherwise, if I took a break I could feel how tired my body and my brain really is. It’s just seemed easier to muscle through it and then let the pain of the day get to me all at one time.

And if someone saw me take a break, that seemed even worse. Like something we aren’t supposed to do. Like we weren’t deserving as a woman or a mom or a wife. We’re just supposed to keep on going. And perhaps that if I just kept on going, trudging through, that one day, one of those days that I had 48 hours worth of work in it to complete but thought I couldn’t mark it all off in one, I would get to the end of the list.

Then what happens???

Guess what…

More stuff.

Sometime between New Year’s resolutions and planning my “let’s get organized” calendar, I decided that this negative idea of a break that I had created in my head was total and dire crap.

That’s right. Crap.

Then and there, I decided to take a break.

B R E A K

A break from all the crazy things I had thought up in my head that being a “do-er,” something I very much held close to my heart as my title in life because I was always moving, going and getting it done, I was totally wrong.

What I really learned is that break I wasn’t taking and refusing to allow myself to enjoy, was actually the part I was really MISSING OUT on.

There’s nothing to prove with that break I wasn’t taking for myself. Actually studies have shown that just 15 minutes can make a big impact on your health and that 15 minutes can change your life. In actuality, that break that I was avoiding, that many of us insist we “don’t have time for” can make you change your mood, making you more effective, refreshed, and ready to take on the rest of the list.

So when you sit down to make your next list, schedule a break. Make it part of your day. Put it in your calendar. And don’t even feel guilty when you take it. Don’t let someone shift it to another time. Don’t think you need to hide in the closet or quietly run to the bathroom (unless that’s the only when you can get it), but do what you must to make sure that break happens.

That’s what makes Café Breaks make it easy for you to take that break.

It’s a reminder to stop, take a moment and savor something good that makes you happy. Every spoonful is like taking that necessary deep breath we should all do. Like meditation…but with chocolate. Best of all, they come in four, indulgent. gourmet coffee-inspired flavors and you can get them basically anywhere (hello, Kroger!)

And best of all, if you’re afraid that a little chocolate break is going to cause you to have to add time to your workout, think again. Just 100 calories.

That’s all. That’s all it takes for a break.

Just be careful not to eat it too fast…the idea is to take the break, not rush it just because it tastes good.

Just like in Kindergarten when we learned about the importance of naptime, that still holds true. Take a break. Enjoy your break. Live your break.

Otherwise, what’s it’s all worth?

Well, one a day at the spa wouldn’t be hurt to help you take a break, huh? Enter to win a $500 SpaFinder gift card!

Café Breaks Spa Weekend with Mom

The Right Way to Do Babe’s Chicken

April 26, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Looking for the best bonafide homestyle, family-style, fried chicken experience in Texas? Look no further than Babe’s. But if it’s your first time, then you better learn the rules. Here’s our guide to The Right Way to do Babe’s Chicken.

Thank you to Backpack Wine for this sponsoring this post.

Texas is a proud state so no doubt we fancy ourselves the best at a lot of things…

The best BBQ.
The best Tex Mex.
The best Steak.

And most definitely home to the best fried chicken.

Many lists will also reinforce that we’re home to the best place for real, deep south crunchy, perfect fried chicken.

And the name of that home is Babe’s. That’s right “chicken fried with Texas pride!

While a Babe’s Chicken House can now be found in nine locations around North Texas, the first Babe’s was founded (and still stands) in the Unique Dining Capital of Texas in 1993.

Even typing the words I can begin to aroma of the buttery, crispy fried chicken when you open the door…

Unfortunately, there are only two things that stand between you and the smorgasbord of pickle salad, creamy corn and biscuits make its way to you at the table.

Your choice of Fried Chicken or Chicken Fried Steak and the WAIT.

That’s right – it can be a long one, especially if you hit up a Babe’s on a weekend.

There are no reservations and there’s no bar to enjoy a few cocktails to make the ticking clock seem less daunting.

But wait – it’s the wait that almost makes Babe’s a mandatory food experience…as long as you do it the right way.

How to do Babe’s Chicken the Right Way

First, if you plan to go to Babe’s (and you should), make sure you don’t eat much that day.

You’re going to want every part of your belly to enjoy the family-style experience you’re gonna embark on. Also know that the menu slightly differs at each location. If you hit up the original, they’re still serving just the staples but they’re just that good you don’t need the extras. It’s just what you expect from a homemade dinner of fried goodness served with creamy, buttery mashed potatoes with country gravy, Grandma’s creamed corn that will change your life (it’s got a slighty sweet, buttery and smooth texture) and perfectly made pillows of buttermilk biscuits that you’ll want to eat with butter, then gravy, and honey (or sorghum.)

But if you go to some of the other spots, you might find rotisserie chicken, green beans, and even dessert. So call ahead just in case you’re looking for something good. However, you can’t go wrong at all – unless of you have a gluten allergy. Then you need to make the call:)

Second, bring friends and family.

Babe’s is more fun the more people you have with you. It’s a great place to catch up, celebrate, have dinner together which is something many of us don’t make time for anymore and should.

Third, don’t forget the chairs.

If you have a truck, you can always sit on the tailgate while you wait or in the many seats you’ll find outside Babe’s. But there’s no guarantee you’re gonna score a few – especially all together. So bring the chairs. Also bring a deck of cards or anything else that’s gonna keep the kids happy while you wait. Waiting is really half the fun here.

Fourth, one special thing about Babe’s is that it’s BYOB.

That’s right, you can (and must) bring your own beverages (alcoholic ones that is.) While some folks bring beer, some bring bubbles (I’ve done that a few times), but those bottles can be a real pain, too. And let’s not even talk about forgetting the corkscrew.) If you want to make it easy on you and still enjoy your Babe’s experience, pack up a little ice chest of these small cans. Perfectly sized and perfectly paired, Backpack Wine® comes in a 250 ml. convenient, recyclable slimline can and right now in two palate pleasing flavors: Cheeky Rose® and Snappy White®.

Best of all you don’t have to remember a corkscrew (or even a glass)! Just grab it and go.

If you consider yourself a wino, then you might think a “canned wine” is blasphemy, but both wines are from Washington (known for some amazing wines in the Columbia Valley.) The white is a riesling-based wine with a touch of pinot blanc and the rose is also pinot blanc but blended with sangiovese for color and for the floral, strawberry, rose petal flavors that you want from a rose. And the can had nothing to do with the process or changing the taste of the wine.

Fifth, Prepare for a good time!

Babe’s is about being in the moment and enjoying the people, food and experiences you love most. There will be music, dancing, and maybe if you’re lucky, some singing by the staff too. So remember: wear your comfy pants and get ready to smile! (Unless of course, you eat just one more biscuit with honey than you should have.)

Now that’s the right way to do Babe’s.

GO: Biggest Baby Shower Ever

April 11, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 106 Comments

Expecting or a new parent? If you want to get the 411 on all things baby, obviously anything called the Biggest Baby Shower EVER is the answer! One night, one event, and one huge gift bag!

Thanks to Big City Moms for being a mamachallenge sponsor and showing this Dallas mama what it really means to go big or go home – especially when you’re preggo!

It wasn’t *that* long ago that I was a first-time preggers working to figure out what was the best stroller combination, what bottle system was best for us and the biggest new mamachallenge of them all – what diaper bag I was going to carry. I asked everyone, I searched online, I talked in forums, and I paced the aisle of EVERY baby department store.

I didn’t always find the right answer either and even after both my kids are past the baby age, I still have baby stroller envy (and I had a total of six strollers.)

If only there had been one place to go to, to learn about all the stuff – from diapers to daycare – that I was going to need to prepare me for motherhood in Big D.

And of course, a few years later, there is.

What is the Biggest Baby Shower Ever?

Big City Moms has revolutionized the baby business with their signature event, The Biggest Baby Shower Ever™. A pop-up, one-night show that happens around the country in places like NYC (actually they get two), Washington D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and now Big D. With celebrity endorsements and appearances, this is really the only shower you’re going to want to go to besides your own.

Since I’m no longer growing a baby (however, could be mistaken with my own bump), I hadn’t heard of this shindig before it came to town. HOWEVER, shortly after I got there to Sixty Five Hundred on Cedar Springs, I figured out very quickly, that I was out of the loop! There were so many mamas and daddies there ready to learn, touch, meet and go home with the coolest, most-cutting edge and best baby products on the market. While I did recognize many of my favorites like Pampers and Petunia Picklebottom (I still want one of their bags that are now even cuter and have a place for my laptop), there were so many new companies out there to learn about, both locally and in the industry.

What Can You Expect at the Biggest Baby Shower Ever?

If only I had know that there was a baby nurse service that would get your kid in the groove while you caught a few hours of shut eye?

And if breastfeeding has those tatas in a tizzy, no worries, someone will help you come to your house and show exactly how to do it.

Having issues with your milk supply? Eat some Boob Food and your supply will increase by 5%.

It was about halfway through walking this event where I just looked around and said “Where was this event when I was expecting?”

Of course, you wouldn’t put a few hundred expectant mamas in one spot at 5:30 pm without food either. The food was phenomenal with everything figure foods including the most adorable Sprinkles cupcakes with baby bottles and mocktails. However, there was a local brand called Mom’s Buns that I could have filled my swag bag with and ran!

But just because I wasn’t an expecting mama didn’t mean I didn’t learn! I found out about several new products for those with allergies (i.e. my family), listened to some great info from local experts, checked out new items from Matilda Jane (Taylor’s decided that Joanna Gaines is making them just for her) and also may have finally found the perfect stroller – it takes no time to have folded and you can do it with one hand – really! And there were massages too!!!

I almost reconsidered pregnancy, but remembered, I still had two at home I needed to raise first!

What You Get at the Biggest Baby Shower Ever

But as great as the event is, it is the gift bag that’s gonna really make your day! Depending on the level of ticket you purchase, you not only walk out with tons of samples, new products, and more, but some of the staple items you’re going to need to start your baby collection. From bouncers to buggies, I saw it all being escorted out with everyone. It actually looked like we were looting a Babies R Us.

Just a few of the brands included in this amazing gift bag:

Pampers
Huggies
Earth’s Best
Kabrita
Happy Tot
Enfamil
HappyBaby
Oilogic
Smarty Pants
Nosh
Dr. Brown’s
Baby Bjorn
Viva
Fresh wave
Cetaphil
bolli
summer
babyganics
june & january
Once Up a Farm

Swoon, right? But what am I going to do with all this loot? Yep, one lucky mama is going home with the 4Moms bounceRoo!

(From the 4moms website:) The 4moms bounceRoo is the only bouncer with 3 unique vibration modes (heartbeat, wave and bee) and 3 intensity settings to help calm and soothe your baby. The bounceRoo also entertains with a fun, natural bouncing motion created by your baby’s movement. The lightweight and compact design is easy to move around the house or take on the go. The bounceRoo is available in the classic seat fabric (dark grey) and has a smooth, woven surface. Machine washable.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Light Up the World with Just a Switch

April 10, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 3 Comments

You can make a difference in the world with just a flip of the switch.

When I was in my 20s, I was ready to save everything. I wanted to save the rainforest, I marched for Gay Rights, I raised money for HIV/AIDS…you get it, I was active about giving back.

Actually it was my activism that started me in the blogosphere. I wanted to share my experience of having a CHD baby and through my story met so other moms JUST.LIKE.ME.

That was engagement. That was connection. That was real.

However, as a mom, while we are championing the efforts of our children, sometimes it gets hard to champion the other things that fill our hearts. It’s not that we don’t want to make an impact, but you just can’t always make time to make a difference in the world beyond your own home…

And as a parent we also feel compelled to teach our children to not just be good, but also to teach them to do good. Social responsibility IS something we should all do but it’s not always activism, but being smart about working with businesses that make activism part of their platform, too.

Direct Energy had a bright idea to actually make it THAT easy to make a change…just by turning on and off your lights.

Direct Energy recently partnered with MPOWERD to bring their solar Luci light to the developing world. For everyone who participates in Direct Energy’s Give Brighter 12-month plan, MPOWERD will send one Luci light to a developing part of the world, and to you!

1.5 billion people in the developing world live without electricity. That means when the sun goes down, women and children walk home in the dark. Or a health clinic can’t stay open. While many turn to kerosene lamps, they are dangerous to use, expensive to buy and maintain, and toxic to individuals and the environment.

Luci lights were created to provide a safe, efficient solution to help end life in the dark. Luci lights can shine for up to 12 hours on a single charge.

In every way life is impacted by a little Luci light, there is a big opportunity for a brighter future.

Learn more about the Luci Light and Direct Energy’s 12 month plan.

What other organizations do you think do a good job of social responsibility?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Direct Energy. The opinions and text are all mine.

The One Item Every Wardrobe Needs

April 7, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

If you could only one thing to wear every day what would it be? Change your look without much change with this classic staple.

Thanks to JCPenney for this helpful hack for mamachallenge readers.

If you could only one thing to wear every day what would it be?

A recent article shared that many successful people wear the same thing every day. I for one LOVE the idea of a little change from time to time, but I’m rather happy in sporting a crisp white shirt every day. There’s something about it – that says casual, sophisticated, smart, modern and classic all at the same thing. So if there’s one thing you invest in (or probably already have in your closet) is the white shirt.

And with just a few other pieces you can have a different look every day – still making you look totally on trend while making your life simpler, giving you more time for the more important things in life.

Best Tips for the Best Time at Six Flags

April 6, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 5 Comments

Ready to ride? Have a great time and save a little dough with these tips to Six Flags Over Texas!

Thanks to KIA for partnering with us to share these tips and offering a fun day for our family.

When you have motion sickness, where’s the first place your kids wanna go? Of course, it’s to go on a roller coaster!

Living in the middle of the Entertainment District of Arlington, Texas, there’s never a shortage of things to do. However, your budget may not always allow to buy every hot ticket. However, with these tips you can enjoy one of the most family friendly attractions, Six Flags Over Texas. (And many of these tips also apply to many other Six Flags parks, so try them there, too!) These tips are tried and true from many bad mistakes on our part and many suggestions of seasoned park goers!

Get the Pass

If you plan to go to to Six Flags more than once, then the Season Pass is the only way! It honestly is cheaper than two visits and you can bundle your plan with parking (which is normally like $20+) to really save cash.This year your pass is attached to your fingerprint, so my kids think it’s uber cool! If you are on a budget or have just one trip in store, then buying your tickets in advance will also save you money at the gate (not to mention time!)

FLASH PASS = front of the line without the long wait! Click To Tweet

Know the Offers!

There are special opportunities/promotions that you can take part in to help subsidize your trip to Six Flags or score on some special Six Flags bucks! Many schools offer a reading program which award kids a free ticket to the park when they read 600 minutes. However, they takes a little thought and planning. Many promotional offers are also available to help you save some dough.

Many of the parks offer a souvenir drink offer for one flat cost you can get drinks are a discounted rate (.99 cents or free unlimited refills for season pass holders.) Unless you’re alone, I’ve never heard this not be a good deal. While the eateries will provide water to you, the wait for food and rides are long and the weather is hot, so stay hydrated. There’s a similar deal for a flat price food plan for season pass holders. If you are keen on eating in the park and have a big group, this might be a great idea. Another great idea is packing a picnic, take a break and eat in the designated picnic space right outside the park. There’s no outside food allowed, but if you’re a big group, a picnic can save you HUGE dollars. Or you can always strategically eat before you go and leave before the big food cravings kick in at dinner. However, don’t undermine the power of the Pink Things or the Dole Whips. They’ll get you every time!

A few weeks ago we actually were able to score some really valuable offers by participating in the KIA Ride and Drive.

Found right at the entrance of the park, by spending a few minutes to learn about a KIA, drive it through the park (which was really cool), and have an actual no-sales approach to looking at a car, we were able to:

Score $10 in food bucks (Daffy Dollars)
Get a Flash Pass (front of the line, y’all!)
Charge up our devices before heading to the park
Special entrance to the front of the line at the park (huge when you’re going early!)

Know What to Bring and What Not to Bring

There are probably many more of these you could consider, but this is my basic checklist before I leave to Six Flags. When I forget, bad things happen.

Drivers License, tickets/passes, and money. I like to go light with just one credit card, my id (you’ll need that for a ride and drive event or if you’re planning to grab a beer), and a little cash (keeps me on budget when I go, so when it’s gone, we go home!)
Comfortable Shoes. Think through this one if you plan on getting on the wet rides as tennis shoes are great until they are full of water. I’m a fan of my Crocs, but just make sure whatever you wear, it’s not new and won’t cause tear on your feet.
Plastic bag / Waterproof case for your phone or camera. You’ll learn this quick if you don’t bring it! The water rides are going to get you wet so make sure you’re prepared! For around $6 you can get a waterproof phone case perfect to hang around your neck instead of one of those expensive cases!
Sunscreen / parkas / coats. In Texas you’re bound to experience temperamental weather so be prepared. On average a visit to the amusement park is 5-7 hours, so you’ll need to reapply sunscreen many times (especially on those water rides.) You can purchase it at the park, but it’s gonna cost you. As for the parkas, if you don’t mind the rain, then don’t bother, but it can be rough when the rain shuts down the rides and you have to head to the parking lot. And during Holiday in the Park, it can be very cold, especially hitting the snow sledding hill so don’t let weather stand in the way of your fun!

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Make Your Must List

There’s a lot to do and a lot of ground to cover at Six Flags Over Texas. So taking a lesson from Disney World, take some time to study! Find out what rides your group wants to ride, research height restrictions and ask everyone what’s their “must have ride list.” There’s nothing worse than spending your time crossing back and forth over the park to get on everyone’s musts. Except promising your little kiddos they can ride and find out when you get there they aren’t the right size requirement. Take the time and do a little homework – even if it’s at the gate before you walk in and start trekking around aimlessly.

>>>>LOOK AT THE MAP <<<<

Last tip: Don’t go during holiday or special promo weekends if you intend on riding everything. The lines are longer and it’s harder to make everything on the list! And do go when you there’s a KIA Ride and Drive event!

Upcoming KIA Ride and Drive Six Flags opportunities:

4/14 – 4/16: Six Flags Magic Mountain

26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355

4/14 – 4/16: Six Flags Great Adventure

1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527

4/21 – 4/23: Six Flags America

13710 Central Ave, Bowie, MD 20721

5/13 – 5/15: Six Flags St. Louis

4900 Six Flags Rd, Eureka, MO 63025

5/27 – 5/29: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

1001 Fairgrounds Drive SW, Vallejo, CA 94589

5/27 – 5/29: Six Flags New England

1623 Main St, Agawam, MA 01001

Understanding Health Care

March 2, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

If you have family, you need health care. It may seem overwhelming, but we can make understanding healthcare easier.

Thanks to United Healthcare for helping through my own health care needs for almost 10 years. And now for partnering with mamachallenge to make it not-so-challenging for you.

I gal that rarely ever got sick growing up, I didn’t quite understand the need for health insurance – until I was an adult WITH kids. I mean it’s there *just in case* you get sick or break an arm.

…Until of course one of those happen or even worse, you’re pregnant and find out you have all kinds of complications and your child may not make it without a big medical team and a lot of prayers.

Then you know EXACTLY why you have health care. And so thankful for it too.

Over the years many of us have been confused with that health care is, how it works, and how to make the best of it without all the complicated explanations.

Like everything, I prefer the Cliff Notes version and then if I need to know more, I can dig in. But insurance can seem so overwhelming that you don’t always know what you’re doing or why, except pull out your card when they ask for it.

So UnitedHealthcare is trying to break it down in less words and in a little more fun way to learn by throwing in three chances to win $500 while giving you the 411.

First, the Lingo.

Oh the terms and the acronyms. That alone is enough to make you go WTH. However, it’s not as hard as you think it is.

PPO. HSA. CBO.

You’ve probably heard them, but you don’t always know what you’re saying? Me too.

For instance:

PPO is short for PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION.

HSA is short for HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (love these.)

But do you know the difference between prior authorization and coinsurance?

But UnitedHealthcare takes all the guessing out of it by being just plain clear. Giving you the power to not just pick the right insurance for you but to be smart about spending your dollars where they make sense for your family.

The Perfect Match engagement is a memory/concentration game with basic cost terminology. Play it and you can win $500!

And once you do your homework, quiz yourself with this quick Perfect Match quiz to make sure you really know what you’re talking about. (Plus there’s $100 weekly and $500 monthly you can win.)

Second, How Does it All Work?

Want to make sure you don’t just know the lingo, but how it works? When doctors and insurance providers talk about referrals and networks, we know they aren’t talking about Facebook or a book club. I’m a visual person so I need a picture to put it all together. As a mom, many times we’re scheduling the doctor visits and therefore paying for them. But wouldn’t it be nice to know what all we’re paying for? This quick video gives it to you clean and simple.

Answer one question in the Look & Learn after you watch this video and you could win up to $500.

Third, Tools and Tips

Want to see if you’ve put it together the right way? Or still need to see what other tools are available to help you figure it all out? Then UHC can help you with tons of calculators, estimators, an app and if you prefer, real life people who can help you figure it out. When I have a question I call them. Or you can click around in your own portal and find most the answers your need already right in front of you. From calculating all the cost for an upcoming procedure or simply just comparing the costs, this is where you go to make it easy for you.

PLUS when you answer these three questions in the Cost Quiz 123, you can win $500!

Feel like you’ve already taken a class in health care? Then you should be rewarded. One lucky reader will win a gift card for $50 from Amazon. At least this way you can be motivated to learn more when you have a new planner or one of these cool new finds. I personally am looking this one.

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Celebrating the Not So Special Moments

February 24, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

When you have kids there is always a reason to celebrate – a missing tooth, a good grade, 100 days at school. But sometimes celebrating the not-so-special moments are the ones that really count.

Thanks to PF Changs for making our not-so-special day so special. Sponsored by Mirum Shopper. Opinions are 100% my own. #CelebrateTheEverydayWM

This day had been coming for so long.

The dress had been selected.

The shoes laid out.

The corsages bought.

It was time for the Daddy Daughter Dance and then they were off!

Such a special night for my daughter and her daddy…

But what about me and the boy?

We weren’t going anywhere special. We weren’t getting dressed up.

We were home together. And nothing special to do.

So we decided to make it special.

It was our not-so-special special date night.

One of the things we love is Chinese food. Unfortunately due to some allergies in our family, we don’t get to go out for Chinese food near as much as he and I would love to. We love Chinese food. LOVE.

Jackson’s favorite? Broccoli Beef. Hands down.

Earlier in the week I had gone to a Walmart run and stocked up on a few items including P.F. Chang’s Meals for Two – Broccoli Beef to surprise him when he really wanted Chinese.

So our impromptu evening was the perfect time to surprise him with our own Chinese dinner. Chopsticks and all.

So easy and quick, we had our own P.F. Chang’s night-in with simple ingredients like marinated beef and crisp broccoli drizzled with savory garlic soy sauce.

For dessert we headed to the couch for a little TV time with a side of snugs.

These moments don’t come often enough.

One day I’m sure they won’t happen at all. It’s the normal course of how things happen as kids grow up and sometimes, away. However, I can hope that we’ll both appreciate a stolen moment, even if it’s only for a second. It’ll be worth it. Every. single. time.

I think our not-so-special moment was more special than we could have imagined.

Make your own opportunities for the special not-so-special moments.

Go for O, The Oprah Magazine Collection for Talbots

February 23, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

If Oprah says she loves it you know you will too. Talbots + Oprah team up again for Dress for Success, a must-have collection that helps other women at the same time. #multitask

Thanks to Talbots for partnering with mamachallenge to share this amazing effort.

We all have seen the Oprah effect. She loves it, we love it.

But when Oprah loves it so much she champions a cause, get ready for something AMAZING.

So when Talbots asks me to be a part of the Dress for Success launch for 2017, I *died.* (Channeling my best Rachel Zoe.)

First, because it’s Oprah.

Second because it’s Talbots.

Third because it’s an effort that last year helped to raising more than $1 million for Dress for Success to help more than 20,000 women in need to feel and look their best under less than best circumstances!

However, it was the fourth that actually almost had me in a hole…and in the ground.

Why? I mean I’m joining the ranks of other women like Sara Haines (Journalist & Co-host of The View), Jill Martin (Today Contributor), Denée Benton (Broadway Actor), and Sas Goldberg (Writer, Producer, Actor) sharing our favorites from the collection (you can see theirs in the March issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.)

But it’s because I was going to have to model one of my favorite parts of the collection.

If you haven’t noticed, I don’t normally do fashion blogging. I sincerely love clothes and fortunately, I have many fashion blogger friends in Big D that do it so well. So I enjoy their blogs, shop their looks and they leave the #mamachallenge stuff to me. (You know, dirty diapers, dishes, and macaroni & cheese.)

They put on a dress/shirt/handback/heels/whatever, gaze into the wild blue yonder with flowers in hand and someone takes a photo that makes you want to run rabid to click it, share it with your BFF, and buy it before you can say “Gail!”

But for me, not so much. I look into anything and it just looks like a hot mess (see I’m even laughing at me taking this photo.) But for a cause this wonderful and puts me one step closer to the seventy-degrees-of-Oprah, I’ll do it.

So here it went.

“Just remember, it’s all about the good you’re doing and how good you’re gonna look in it, right?

With colors like black (my favorite) and pink and staples like the cardigan set I’m sporting or any of the other pieces, you’re going to love it. And thinking what you’re doing for Dress for Success, the non-profit international organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life, you’re gonna love it that much more.

In addition to shopping the collection, you can also give back in two other ways – by donating gently worn work attire from March 2 – March 5 at your local Talbots or by making a monetary donation in store or online at www.talbots.com/dressforsuccess.

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