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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Toast to National Margarita Day with Margarita Recipes You Eat

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Thanks for watching me on Good Morning Texas! And if you didn’t and you just crossed these recipes by chance, then welcome (or welcome back)! 
 

Margarita Fruit Dip
Inspired by Key Ingredient

 Ingredients
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 
1/3 c. frozen (thawed) margarita drink mix (10-ounce can) 
2 Tbsp orange juice 
1 teaspoon grated lime peel 
1/4 cup whipping cream
Strawberries, Pineapples, etc. 
Margarita salt or colored sugar

 Instructions
Beat cream cheese, margarita mix, orange juice and lime peel on with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. In another chilled bowl, beat whipping cream with mixer on high speed until stiff. Fold into cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate for one hour. 

 Serve with your favorite fruit. Use margarita salt or sugar for rim of bowl. 

 

 


 Margarita Chicken Quesadilla served with Margarita Guacamole
Inspired by recipe from Half-Baked Harvest Ingredients


Margarita Chicken
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or tenders
1/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Jalapeño, minced (remove the seeds for less heat)
zest of 1 lime
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
 

Margarita Guacamole
3 avocados, mashed
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1/4 fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Jalapeño, seeded and diced 
zest of 1 lime
juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1-3 tablespoons tequila
salt, to taste
 

Quesadilla
8 large flour tortillas
1 cup cooked white seasoned with 1 tsp. lime juice, garlic powder and lime peel
8 ounces of Mexican 4-blend shredded cheese 
Cooking spray or olive oil 
 

Instructions 
To make Margarita Chicken: 

Whisk the tequila, olive oil, lime juice, orange juice and honey in a bowl. Add the garlic, jalapeño, lime zest, cumin, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.Add chicken to a ziplock bag or baking dish and pour marinade ingredients over top. Marinate (in the fridge) for 2-24 hours, flipping chicken a few times. To cook chicken, grill on medium high heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side or until cooked through. Allow to cool five minutes and then chop into bit size pieces or shred with a fork. Keep warm and set aside. 


For Margarita Guacamole: 

Mash the avocados (I left mine pretty chunky, but go as chunky or smooth as you want) in a medium size bowl. Add the tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, jalapeño, lime zest, lime juice, orange juice and tequila. Stir to combine and season with salt and pepper.

 

To make Quesadilla:  
Heat skillet over medium heat. Add cooking spray. Place tortilla on grill and cover each with cheese, then evenly distribute the margarita guacamole over top (I saved some of the guacamole for dipping). Then add rice and then chicken. Fold tortilla in half until golden on both sides. 
Cut into fourths and serve with the remaining Margarita Guacamole. And for dessert!

 Margarita Cake 

Ingredients

Crust
1-1/2 cups coarsely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons bottled nonalcoholic margarita mix
 

Cake
1 pkg.  white cake mix (make as directed except use coconut water in place of tap water)
1 tsp lime zest
1 cup boiling water
1 pkg. (3 oz.) Lime Flavored Gelatin
¼ cup cold water
¼ cup tequila
Frost with whipping cream
Sliced lemons and limes

 
Instructions
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13×9-inch pan with shortening and lightly.
In a medium bowl, mix pretzels, sugar, butter, and margarita mix. Spread evenly and press gently into bottom of pan. Place in fridge while you prepare cake batter.
In a large bowl, prepare batter as directed with lime zest and coconut water (optional).  Pour batter over pretzel crust.
Bake cake as directed until light golden brown.
While cake is cooling,  mix boiling water to gelatin mix in small bowl stirring until completely dissolved. Then, stir in tequila and cold water. Pierce cake with wooden skewer or fork all over cake and pour in gelatin. Refrigerate for about two hours.
Cool completely, about 2 hours. Frost with whipped topping and lime slices. 

BONUS TIME!

William Grant & Sons recently launched the first and original ancho chile liqueur, Ancho Reyes, a unique touch to the classic Milagro margarita.  Created by Licorera Ancho Reyes y CIA in Mexico and inspired from a 1920’s-era recipe, the heart of the liqueur is Mexico’s beloved poblano chile, hand-selected one by one based on size, color and humidity, then dried in open air, macerated for six months, and bottled. The resulting taste is pleasantly sweet, followed by chile with mild heat and slight acidity, hints of spices, tamarind, plum, cacao, apple, and almonds, and final subtle notes of fine herbs.

 
(It’s a little bit of sweet and spicy all rolled into one!) 
 
ANCHORITA
 
¾ part Ancho Reyes 1½ parts Milagro Silver Tequila 1 part Fresh Lime Juice ½ part Agave Nectar
 

Using a lime wedge, wet the rim of an old fashioned glass, salt it, and set aside. Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, shake, and double strain over fresh ice into the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.

 
So I have to ask: Frozen or On the Rocks?
 

How GameStop Changed My “No Gaming Zone” Rule

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Note: I was invited to an event at GameStop to learn about gaming and products. I was given a gift card, but all thoughts here are my own. 


Until about 60 days ago our home was a “No Gaming Zone.”


We didn’t own a DS, PS, Wii, or any of those things. I really didn’t see them as useful or positive for kids or adults alike. 

That was before I stepped into a GameStop at Christmas time to learn a little about gaming. Upon entering, I felt like I was in a whole new world of lingo, battery needs, cords and more. Thankfully I had help with “translation” from a friendly GameStop team member who spent almost an hour helping me learn the basics on personal gaming systems and consoles. Needless to say after my trip, my son was a proud recipient of his own Nintendo 3DS XL – Mario & Luigi Dream Team Bundle.



What was the change of heart? Why did I decide that gaming could be ok?

Let’s start with the stats. From the UK Millennium Cohort Study of 11,000 kids tracked over 10 years: 
  • Kids who watched 3+ hours of TV, specifically between ages 5-7, had increased behavioral problems
  • When video games were introduced to kids as young as 5, there was no effect on the child’s attention, behavior, or emotional health
  • Many studies suggest that video games help improve hand-eye coordination, memory formation, and can even help dyslexic children to read better
  • Basically, games aren’t bad for kids!
And another study from the Entertainment Software Association suggests that games are social: 
  • 16% play with parents
  • 40% play with friends
  • 17% play with their spouse or significant other
  • 34% play with other family members
  • Video games are a family activity
  • 40% of parents play video games with their children at least weekly
  • Most video games being sold are not inappropriate for kids
  • 73% of the 245.6 million video games sold in 2011 were rated Everyone (E), Teen (T) or Everyone 10+ (E10+)
  • 91% of games rated by ESRB in 2012 are E, T or E10+
And after an afternoon with GameStop (and a very patient and friendly team member), I learned that it’s even possible to afford games with the PowerUp Program. With both a free and paid version, you can reap real benefits. With a Pro membership at $14.99 annually, you score even more points for purchases and get access to exclusive offers, news and events.  You also get special bonus privileges including a welcome coupon that can score you a free game upon completion of online activation. Plus, 10% discounts on all pre-owned game and accessories purchases and 1 year of Game Informer magazine.



And until Feb. 28, there’s one more benefit you’ll want to ensure you take up on. 

Inspired by the amazing journey portrayed of the new Lightning Returns™: FINAL FANTASY ® XIII (not one of my kid’s games) this month’s Epic Reward Giveaway by GameStop will send one lucky winner and a guest on a trip of a lifetime.

The lucky winner and a friend will take a paid trip (food, travel, lodging and spending money
included) to Las Vegas for a dinner and a show. Then they will head to Paris, France to see the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower with a pocket full of spending money to splurge and experience some of the world’s best shopping. It doesn’t stop there. Next stop is Cairo, Egypt to visit the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx Egyptian Museum and the Khan el-Khalil Bazaar. Lastly, they will finish up in Costa Rica by riding ATVs and taking a zip line through the jungles and completing the day by relaxing at a luxurious spa.

 PowerUp Rewards members that make transactions at a GameStop store or at www.GameStop.com throughout the month of February will be automatically entered for a chance to win this amazing prize. Eligible transactions include pre-ordering, buying games and accessories or making a trade.

 PowerUp Rewards ProTM members automatically receive two entries with each purchase or
trade*. Members can also use their PowerUp Rewards points to get additional entries.

Now that’s a “game” worth playing! But remember you’ve got only until the end of February to enter. 

For more information on becoming a GameStop PowerUp Rewards member, visit www.PowerUpRewards.com and for more information about the GameStop® Epic Reward GiveawayTM, visit www.PowerUpRewards.com/EpicReward.

And remember if you win and you need a plus one, I can make arrangements. 


Ripe for the Picking: 8 Great Natural Products for Winter Beauty

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I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias #Shop


In Texas you never know what Mother Nature is going to deal you especially in the winter time. But one thing is for certain:  your skin and hair is going to suffer some serious stress from the weather. However, with a little help from your neighborhood Walgreens, I’ve discovered some great natural beauty products that will make your skin feel as fresh as a peach, your hair just like it’s “mint” to be and at a price that will make your wallet happy, too!  Shouldn’t you give your body the same goodness on the outside as you do the inside? 


1. Yes to Tomatoes Skin Clearing Facial Mask

The winter season puts stress on everything, but especially on your skin. Like the skin of a tomato, our skin is tender and needs gentle care to keep it shiny and clean. Yes to Tomatoes combines Lycopene (the antioxidant found in tomatoes) and  Dead Sea mud (legendary for its amazing benefits to the skin) for the ideal facial cocktail that in just five minutes, 1-2 times a week, CAN balance blotchiness and balance your skin tone. 




2. St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub

In the winter not only does your regular beauty routine need a boost, but you also have to spend a little more time on the details like exfoliating and moisturizing. To get your skin looking its best, you have to scrub away the dry skin as well as trying to maintain the moisture. A classic for many shower routines for decades, St. Ives Blemis Control Apricot Scrub not only gently takes care of getting rid of the old skin, but those embarrassing blemishes with 100% natural exfoliants.  



3.  Renpure Solutions Rosemary Mint Cleansing Conditioner 

A few years ago my hairdresser told me I should quit washing my hair. 

The suggestion caught me off guard especially since I am the owner of some thick, unruly and after-one-day-pretty-poly head of hair. However, he explained that using shampoo actually strips the hair of natural oils needed to protect it during the several weather conditions we experience in the winter. Instead using a cleansing conditioner like Renpure’s Rosemary Mint cleanse the hair while keeping in the moisture. And with other natural ingredients like Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, will leave hair soft and healthy with shine and luster. 



4. Vaseline Total Moisture Cocoa Radiant Vitalizing Body Gel Oil 

While slathering lotion should be part of your routine, applying moisture even before you get out of the shower is an ideal opportunity to get your skin in prime condition. With Vaseline’s Body Gel Oil gives you the benefits of an oil without the slippery mess. Your skin is left healthy and glowing and that’s before you even get your day going! 


5. Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum
Blueberries may make a delicious muffin, but they also are full of anti-oxidants like Vitamin and Anthocyanins to fight the formation of free radicals that can damage the skin’s microstructure. Additionally, with organic cotton thistle, black currant and apple, the Yes to Blueberries Intensive Skin Repair Serum will give your skin the ammo it needs to find the sings of aging leaving your skin firm, protect your skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles. 



6. Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream

Like blueberries, grapefruits have amazing natural properties to make your skin look newer by brightening  dark age spots and repair hyperpigmentation. Best of all you can find these benefits in a CC cream! If you’ve never used a CC cream, it’s like a 3-in-1 with color correcting properties, moisturizer, and SPF 18. And as an added bonus, the light tint (available in two shades), provides just the right amount of color so you can complete your facial routine in just one step! 



7.  Nivea Lip Butter Vanilla and Macadamia Kiss

Winter does just as much damage on your lips as it does your skin! So don’t forget to apply more moisture to your lips! Nivea is an established brand for exceptional skin products and this one is no different! PLUS the smell and slight flavor of the Vanilla and Macadamia Kiss makes it a treat each time you apply! Just remember you’re supposed to wear it and not eat it. 



8. Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes

I’ve been a long time fan of the Yes to Cucumber Facial Towelettes. When I was pregnant in the middle of the Texas summer these were the only way I could cool off quickly and freshen up without taking three showers a day. Now, these babies continue to be lifesavers when I’m so exhausted I can’t do the three step skin care routine, but still need to take my makeup off. And if you do a workout and then have to do errand before you get to shower, they make you feel fresh!  Oh, and traveling is cinch because you don’t have to pack your cleanser and eye remover in your carryon!

Have a few other areas that need a little attention? Or looking for the idea travel-sized kit for all your winter skin needs? Don’t forget to check out the Burt’s Bees corner at Walgreens! They have so many natural options for your skin needs – including a nail and toe sampler that is a must-have any time of the year for the best at-home mani and pedi! 



Walgreens is the perfect place to find exactly what you need this winter season for healthy skin, hair, nails and more! 

What’s your best winter beauty tip do you have to share?  





Healthy Winter Skin is In: Free Skin Check at DermOne DFW Now

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Normally in Texas we break out the big winter coat 1-2 times a winter season. Sometimes I even look in my coat closet and wonder why we spend as much money on big coats so they can gather dust and take up room. 


This year has not be the case. And with all this covering up and dressing in layers, you tend not to worry about your skin except to get slather up on lotion as we feel our hands crack and peel until around March or April when the warm temps finally do show their face and you begin to show your skin. 

However, now is actually the right time to think about your skin and getting your hide checked for skin cancer. 



To celebrate the opening of five DermOne Dermatology Centers locations in Dallas/Fort Worth, DermOne is providing 500 free skin care checks ($80,000 value) to the community. 

To book a free exam, you can simply call one of the DermOne offices by Feb. 28 and mention “Healthy Skin DFW” to receive a free skin check. 


Skin cancer is a serious issue in North Texas. In fact:

  • It’s the most common form of cancer in the U.S., with more than 3.5 million skin cancers diagnosed in more than two million people annually.
  • There are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer – combined.
  • When left unchecked, skin cancer can be deadly faster than any of us would like to think.

In around 20 minutes, you can take a big step at taking care of your body’s biggest organ!

Other services at DermOne include: 

  • General dermatology, including treatment of acne, eczema, warts, rashes, moles and much more;
  • Skin cancer screenings and surgery;
  • Laser technology, such as the Palomar Laser, an innovative fractional laser from the company that invented and patented micro-fractional laser technology, used to treat wrinkles, stretch marks, acne, surgical scars and other skin conditions;
  • Cosmetic procedures, including BOTOX®, Juvéderm™ and Restylane® at many locations; and
  • In-house pathology lab to ensure quick turn-around of biopsy removal of a sample of living tissue or cells for close examination by a pathologist for signs of disease and other test results.

ARLINGTON
715 North Fielder Road
Arlington, TX 76012
(888) 881-1626

GRAND PRAIRIE
4927 Lake Ridge Pkwy., Suite 170
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
(888) 881-1626

IRVING
2021 N. MacArthur Blvd. Suite 300
Irving, TX 75061

MESQUITE
2856 N. Galloway Ave.
Mesquite, TX 75150
972-289-2233

WAXAHACHIE
1505 West Jefferson St., Suite 170
Waxahachie, TX 75165
(888) 881-1626
972-254-3118


Secrets to Saving Money on Kids’ Clothes

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Kids cost money. A lot of money. But we have BIG secrets to saving  money on kids’ clothes. 
 
I love to dress up my kids. Before my daughter was born, I bought her a Burberry onesie from Neimans…and I don’t even have any Burberry! While it was wonderful to get her something nice to celebrate her coming into this world – I knew there was no one that I was going to be able to keep up dressing either of my children in brand name clothing without winning the lottery OR finding a better solution that didn’t involve refinancing my house. 

Thankfully my mama taught me the value of consignment and my friends have taught me where to find the best deals! Just Between Friends is the largest children’s and maternity consignment sales event in Texas with 75,000 square feet of gently used children’s and maternity items for purchase at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

See all those clothes in the photos above? 
Those were all treasures from my consignment finds!
 
If you’ve been, I’m sure you know the benefit of attending the spring and fall sales to stock up on your kids’ wardrobes. If you haven’t had a chance, then I’m giving you the best reason to go with a chance to win a $15 gift card certificate! However, if it is your first time, I want to share some of the best tips for the best experience at JBF from some of my favorite bloggers who know all the ins and ours of consignment! 

5 Ways to Get the Best Deals at JBF from Terrell Family Fun
10 Tips for Shopping at Consignment Sales from Real Life Notes

So now that you are ready to save money, now here’s your mama challenge: how much merchandise can you purchase with a $15 gift card? Enter my giveaway now and get your chance to see how far $15 can go!


4 Apps Made to Help You Make Your Kids Safer

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Being a parent is a challenge. (Hence, why we are reading mamachallenge.com, right?) 

Especially when they get to that point where they can open up your iPhone or iPad and begin navigating the Internet. And while using technology can be scary, there are a few apps out there designed to help you keep up with your kids, check them out when you are near and even show off their artwork from your phone! 

1. Life360
An accurate and powerful family locater app, Life360 eliminates the need for worrying about the whereabouts of your family. This app keeps millions of families and close friends connected, no matter what chaos life throws your way. With Life360, you can see where your family and friends are on a private map, stay in touch with group and one-on-one messaging, and get help in an emergency.



2. KIDO’Z
A popular app designed to provide a fun and safe environment for kids, KIDO’Z transforms phones, tablets and computers into kid-friendly devices. The best part? Kids playing on the KIDO’Z app can’t accidently or purposely wind up where they shouldn’t be on a device. KIDO’Z brings several layers of unique security, including a child-lock system, ads blocker, and apps filter to ensure that kids can only download suitable applications.




3. ICE: In Case of Emergency
This life-saving app allows parents to store important health data (allergies, emergency contacts, prescriptions, list of health conditions, etc.) for first responders and health staff to use in case of a medical emergency. The app can even be accessed when the phone is locked with a password code.



4. Baby Monitor & Alarm
Loaded with unique features, this easy-to-use app not only alerts parents when there is a noise in a baby’s room, but helps parents calm their child no matter where they are through a mobile device. Loved by parents, Baby Monitor & Alarm has received great reviews from newspapers and online technology websites.


Celebrate World Nutella Day with Easy Nutella Banana Nut Bread {Recipe}

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Several years ago I received my first container of Nutella. 
 
For a while, I was able to resist the thought of a container of the hazelnut gooiness in the pantry. But then I finally dipped in my index finger and went in for a small taste. And then another. And another. 
 
I found both a friend and a foe that day. I just can’t quit you, Nutella. 
 
And apparently I’m not the only one, especially since now we have a National “holiday” committed to our love of the product. 
 
Happy World Nutella Day, folks. 
 
And while you can put Nutella in everything (just take a look at Pinterest), I’m sharing a quick recipe you can make even late at night when you hear Nutella calling your name and you just want a little fix. 
 
And of course, banana and Nutella taste really, really good together. 
 
 
Nutella Banana Nut Bread 
 
1/2       cup white sugar
1/2       cup brown sugar
2          eggs
3          bananas, mashed ripe bananas
1/3       cup milk
1          cup Nutella
1          teaspoon vanilla
½         teaspoon salt
1/2       cup chopped nuts
 
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray 8×4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
 
In a bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, milk, and vanilla until combined. Gradually add flour mixture, beating constantly until just blended. Spoon Nutella into a bowl and soften in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Add 1 cup of the banana bread batter to the Nutella and stir until blended. Add half the banana bread batter to the prepared pan. Top with half the Nutella batter. Pour the remaining banana batter into the pan and top with the remaining Nutella. Swirl batters together with a knife. Bake for 50-55 minutes (the bread will seem undercooked). Cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
 

 


Valentine’s Day Inspired Treats

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As a periodic TV contributor, the folks at WFAA ABC-8 Good Morning Texas invite me on to highlight some of the best (and the worse) that Pinterest has to offer. This time we’re talking Valentine’s Day Inspired Treats!  

Affiliate links included in this post.

No matter the topic, whether’s it’s been Peppermint, Pumpkin or (melted) Margarita Pie, I have try to show viewers how they too can look like they spent four hours to whip up a delectable dessert or delicious dinner with no more than a couple of minutes, $5 dollars and a roll of twine (or maybe that was MacGyver.)

And while Pinterest has given many of us some amazing ideas, I’m sure we’ve all come across a few of those that didn’t quite work out like the picture says it will. That’s where I come in! I mean nobody’s got time for wasting time and money on a project that isn’t going to be nothing less than perfect!


With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it means mom’s arsenal of everything fun, adorable and cute and thoughtful better be stocked with good ideas that will get your points across the board. So I’ve selected some of the most creative ideas on Pinterest I thought were so cool, but didn’t know exactly if they would be fabulous or a total flop.

Heart-shaped Cinnamon Rolls 
Probably one of the easiest and quickest of my Pinterest finds were heart-shaped cinnamon rolls! Using your own recipe or my “homemade recipe” (read: Pillsbury), you can make a heartfelt sweet treat for breakfast in less than 15 minutes! 

Ingredients

Favorite Cinnamon Roll brand (just make sure your preference is in a spiral shape)

 
Directions
Just unroll the cinnamon roll into one long piece of dough and then begin rolling them back up on both ends. Then place them in a pan and pinch the center into a point to create a heart! Cook them as directed. Once they come out of the oven allow them to cool. Then add a little red food coloring to the icing to create the ultimate Valentine’s breakfast!

Mini-Apple Pies
My husband loves pie, but I don’t like to make a big pie as we will both end up eating on it all week, and I’ll gain three pounds from “tasting it.” So instead we prefer just a little pie so he gets all the best part of the pie without making enough to feed an army. When I found the cutest heart-shaped pie press online and came across the most amazing apple pie filling from Mr. Wittle’s Fine Foods, I knew there was a pie in the making! 

Ingredients

Directions
Unroll the pie dough and cut out two hearts of the same size with the cookie cutter. Fill one side of the heart with a little bit of filling without over-filling. Lay the other heart over the top and use a fork to pinch the two hearts together to form a crust. Lightly brush the egg wash on top of the crust. Place in the oven at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden. 

To download this graphic, click here for the free downloadable PDF. 

And since I wanted to make him feel special, I even made a little Valentine’s Day card to go with it so he will always be the “apple to my pie.” (Now you can have pie and a Valentine’s card made in less than 25 minutes and a few ingredients. 

Bacon Roses
Roses may be the way to my heart, but if I ordered a dozen roses to his job on the Big V, I don’t think he’d be a happy camper. But bacon roses are a whole other ballgame!  I’d seen several photos for bacon roses, but they seemed so tedious. 

I was SO wrong. 

In less than an hour I had a beautiful dozen bacon roses for my honey and he (and the kids) loved them!

Ingredients

  • Package of Bacon (I got a large package for my project!) 
  • Mini-muffin pan (everyone should have at least one of these! So useful! for so many things!) 
  • 2-3 fake-flower bundles (Dollar stores or craft stores have these for around $1) 
  • Toothpicks
  • Vase
Directions
Roll bacon into a tight spiral like a rose and place into a mini-muffin pan fatty-side down.) 
Cook bacon for 30-45 minutes at 375 degrees in the oven. Half-way through cooking taking the pan out and drain the grease. When the bacon is cooked (nice and dark), allow it to cool so you can handle. 
 
In the meantime, remove all the petals from the rose bundles. Take a tooth pick and poke into the flower stem to create a pointed end for the bacon rose to be secured. When you’ve finished place a rose on each stem, place in a vase for giving! 

And don’t miss my favorite featured Pinterest challenge with the heart pound cake! 
 

And there’s so much more, so make sure you follow me on Pinterest for lots more Mama Challenge fun! 

 

Lasagna: The Perfect Recipe for New Moms {Recipe}

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Note: I received my own Lasagna kit from Red Gold and you can too, just keep reading to find out more.  

When I gave birth the first go-around, I remember a friend who was kind enough to bring me over a lasagna to help with dinner. I can still remember not only how delicious it was, but how it kept me fed for almost a week – especially late at night when my little one decided he needed to get us both up for a few hours. 


Now it’s my turn to bring a meal to one of my friends who just had a baby. However, it’s not just because lasagna is delicious and as Anelle would say “freezes beautifully,” but that this recips is full of several nutrient-rich foods that are needed for a new mom, especially when she has a little one that she’s feeding, too. 


According to WebMd, there are 12 Super-Foods for New Moms including: 

  1. Leafy greens like Spinach
  2. Low-fat Dairy: Cottage Cheese and Mozzarella Cheese
  3. Whole-Wheat Grains like Pasta
  4. Lean Protein like Turkey 

So my Spinach Lasagna Roll-ups are like the super food for new moms – and all in one dish! And did I mention there was less than 20 minutes required to whip these up?  Which makes it my go-to meal for taking over to friends along with a bag of salad, and a loaf of garlic bread!


SPINACH LASAGNA ROLL-UPS

Ingredients

1 (28 ounce) can Red Gold® Crushed Tomatoes, or 2 (15 ounce) cans
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Red Gold® Diced Tomatoes With Basil, Garlic & Oregano
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt to taste
1 (16 ounce) box lasagna noodles, traditional, uncooked
1 (6 ounce) package fresh spinach, washed and patted dry
1 (15 ounce) carton low fat cottage cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Directions

  • Preheat over to 350o F. 
  • In a large bowl combine water, RED GOLD® CRUSHED TOMATOES, RED GOLD® DICED TOMATOES with BASIL, GARLIC & OREGANO and Italian seasoning.
  • Boil the lasagna noodles making sure they don’t stick. Once cooked, lay each noodle on a sheet of wax paper until ready to roll. 
  • Cover the bottom of a 9x13x2 inch baking pan with 1½ cups of sauce mixture. Take one noodle and then add a layer of cottage cheese, parmesan cheese and then a handful of spinach leaves.  Tightly roll up the noodle into a roll and place seem-side down. Continue until the dish is full. Then add the rest of the sauce. Next layer the top with mozzarrella cheese. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese.
  • Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 to 1½ hours; until noodles are cooked. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
  • The recipe makes 12 servings, but you could divide the recipe into two 9×9 inch baking dishes and freeze one! 



Red Gold Premium Tomatoes is having a Lasagna Party Sweepstakes on Facebook – until Wednesday, Feb. 5! You can win some great stuff including gift cards, lasagna kit, and other fun prizes! So check out http://www.facebook.com/RedGold.




Touchdown! Healthy Party Pleasers from Zoe’s Mediterranean {Recipes}

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I have a confession. 

I could care less about this year’s “BIG GAME.” 

Zoe'sPartyPleasers
 
However, it does give me an opportunity to catch up with friends and partake in another reason for a party. 
 
While I have no gripes about parties, I am worried about the partaking part — and totally ruining all that great work I’ve been doing trying to lose weight with the MamaChallenge DietBet. However, I don’t want to be left out to eat nothing but raw vegetables and ice water. 
 
What’s a girl to do? 
 
Thankfully my latest food fettish, Zoe’s Kitchen, has shared some of their top-secret recipes for a few quick, clean, and easy recipes that are healthy (they were curated by dieticians, moms and culinary folks) and totally delicious. And if you need help trying to make a dish – they even have an easy-to-follow video available to show you how. 

Havent’ heard of Zoe’s? You are missing out. There are several here in DFW with the newest one in Richardson. And best of all their food AND their service is top notch! And you can actually go there for several healthy food combinations and not just one boring plate you have to eat every time you go. 
 
So even this mama can make them – and you’ll want to as well because they are fantastic. 
 
Believe me, no one will choose that sack of chips when they have Turkey and Hummus Pizza, Pimiento-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms and Sangria at the party. 
 
All photos courtesy of Zoe’s Kitchen

Turkey and Hummus Pizza


Serves 8
Ingredients
1 pint Zoës Hummus
1 lb lean ground turkey
1.5 tbsp Zoës
Spice of Life seasoning
8 whole wheat pitas
4 tbsp sliced Kalamata olives
8 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
8 tbsp roasted red pepper strips
4 tbsp chopped scallions (green parts only)
8 tbsp chopped tomatoes

directions

Heat a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the ground turkey and seasoning and cook thoroughly until turkey is no longer pink. Drain any excess grease from the pan.

Heat the pitas on a microwave-safe plate in the microwave on high for 30 seconds.

Place pitas on individual plates. Top each pita with 2 heaping tablespoons of Zoës hummus and spread evenly over pita.

Then top each pita with 2-3 tablespoons cooked ground turkey, 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese, 1⁄2 tablespoon Kalamata olives, 1 tablespoon roasted red pepper strips, 1 tablespoon chopped tomatoes and 1⁄2 tablespoon chopped scallions.

Using a pizza cutter, slice each pita into 4 wedge-shaped pieces and enjoy!

serves 8 to 12

ingredients

1 pint Zoës Potato Salad
1 red pepper, cut into cubes
1 large yellow squash, thinly sliced
1⁄2 large onion, cut into 1″ pieces
1 can artichokes, chopped and squeezed to drain
6 eggs
2 tbsp milk
1 cup shredded cheese (such as Gruyere or Swiss)
1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3⁄4 tsp salt
1⁄2 tsp pepper
1 clove pressed garlic
1 tbsp olive oil

directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Prepare crust by mashing Zoës Potato Salad in the bottom of a glass quiche dish. Using your hands press potatoes into bottom of the dish and up the sides to form the crust. Place dish into the oven for 3-4 minutes.

Meanwhile place peppers, squash, onions and garlic on baking pan. Add olive oil and 1⁄2 of the salt and pepper, toss to coat, spread vegetables in a single layer. Roast vegetables for about 8 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.

Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly in the bottom of the quiche crust, add roasted vegetables.

In a small bowl beat together eggs, milk and remaining salt and pepper. Pour eggs carefully into quiche dish. Dust the top with Parmesan cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes or until top is puffed and beginning to brown.

Let stand 5 minutes before slicing to serve.

Ingredients

1 gallon Zoës Limeade
Fill pitcher halfway with Ice (4 cups)
1 bottle red wine (choose your favorite!)
2-3 cups fresh fruit (we like grapes, strawberries, oranges and apples)

Directions

Fill a large pitcher with 1 gallon of Zoës fresh-squeezed limeade. Fill with ice.

Add a bottle of your favorite red wine.

Chop 2-3 cups of your favorite fresh fruit and add it to the pitcher.

Stir and serve!

Now it’s Game Time! 









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