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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Fast and Fantastico: Sorrento-Style Tilapia Spaghetti {Recipe}

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I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  I made this Sorrento-Style Tilapia Spaghetti for a shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

I love to cook. Unfortunately, my schedule doesn’t allow it often, especially during the week when my family needs it most – at dinner. Between my work, the kids’ school, dad’s school and work and all the other “fun” things that mama has to do…dinner is a challenge. However, each school year I make the plan to at least have some quick and easy options for healthy meals that I at least made homemade…halfway. So it’s important for me to stay stocked up our staples, so I head to Sam’s Club to get our necessities for quick breakfasts, faster lunch-box making and almost-immediate dinners. Attempting to make healthier recipes, I grab items in the freezer section that can help me create meals that my family will love by just adding a few ingredients to create a real “dinner winner.” 



 Since my kids are young, getting them to eat fish is hard. However, when it looks and has the consistency of chicken nuggets, the are little more amenable to trying something like this amazing parmesan encrusted tilapia from Treasures from the Sea. You can have delicious fish from the freezer to the table in less than an episode of Mickey’s Mouse Playhouse with no preparation. And considering it has 9 grams and fat and less than 300 calories per serving, I was stoked that the tilapia was hitting up all our preferred food profiles!

 While you totally could serve it by opening just up a can of veggies, I was feeling reminiscent of my favorite vacation I took about a year ago to Italy so I decided to dress it up a little. Add some spaghetti, tomato sauce and a few fresh veggies I had sitting around in the fridge and presto – we had a Sorrento-Style Tilapia Spaghetti in less than 30 minutes! 

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Sorrento-Style Tilapia Spaghetti

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 Treasures from the Sea Encrusted Tilapia, frozen
  • 1 ½ cups Hunt’s Tomato Sauce
  • 1 lb. Daily Chef™ Spaghetti
  • 1–2 sm. squash/zucchini, thinly sliced
  • 3 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. capers
  • Freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the tilapia according to package directions. (Approximately 25 minutes in the oven.)
  2. While the fish is cooking, boil spaghetti. (Tip: Add a little bit of salt to your water before boil to increase flavor. Olive oil isn’t needed until after the spaghetti is cooked to prevent stickage.)
  3. Sauté squash/zucchini in pan with 1 Tbsp. olive oil until tender. Then add minced garlic, capers and tomato sauce to the pan/skillet.
  4. Heat sauce for 15 minutes on low-medium heat to allow flavors to come together.
  5. Serve tilapia on bed of pasta and top with sauce.
  6. Garnish with shredded cheese.


 Are you tempted to pick up some Treasures from the Sea Encrusted Tilapia at your Sam’s?  Consider trying it or another great recipe like this one during an upcoming demo at your local Sam’s Club: 

 September 17:  Italian Style Fish and Pasta

September 19: Smoked Sausage Pasta OR Quick ‘N’ Easy Chicken Parmesan

September 24: Chicken dippers

 To find a Sam’s Club location near you, visit the Sam’s ClubLocator and type in your zip code. 

Gustare la ena (enjoy your dinner!) 

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to a Special The Wizard of Oz Anniversary, Sept. 14

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If I could name off my top five movies of all time, The Wizard of Oz has made the list since I was a kid. Now I get the chance to share in a little fun with my munchkins with a special event this Saturday at North East Mall. 




The Simon Kidgits Club at North East Mall invites you to click your heels to celebrate at the free The Wizard of Oz’s 75th Anniversary event this Saturday, Sept. 14 from 1 – 3 p.m. in Center Court. Families can participate in a variety of The Wizard of Oz inspired activities to revel in the charming tradition of the yellow brick road including craft-making, coloring activities, cut-out character photo opportunities and exclusive movie-focused giveaways. Children will also receive a map which leads to various stations that feature viewings of The Wizard of Oz film clips. 

The event surrounds the anniversary of the beloved film with Warner Bros. relaunch of The Wizard of Oz 3D Sept. 20 in IMAX® 3D format and an exclusive one-week engagement in IMAX® theatres across North America.

North East Mall
The Wizard of Oz Anniversary Event
Sept. 14, 1- 3 p.m. 
Free

Click Your Heels (or your flip flops) for Fun, 

Sneak Peek: Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden

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Travel Tuesdays:

On September 27, the Dallas Arborteum will unveil one of the most beautiful destinations for learning, the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden. Overlooking picturesque White Rock Lake, this eight-acre “laboratory” houses 17 outdoor/indoor galleries designed around a key science theme outlined the state and national standards for life and earth science. 

Each of the more than 150 exhibits provide preschool and middle-school aged children to experience how life works on a whole-new level with larger-than-life exhibits and hands-on opportunities to discovery science in nature. While we all wait to bring our children to this amazing attraction later this month, I got a sneak peek at some of the park’s coolest features and what you can look forward to you upon your first visit. 

9-foot Ant and Plant Petting Zoo

“Plants are Alive:” Understanding Photosynthesis

“Texas Skywalk”

“Kaliedscope:”
Where Math, Science & Art Come Together (designed specifically for 4-6 graders)

“Pure Energy Gallery”

Areas are built throughout the park to congregate, rest and enjoy the beautiful outdoor scerenery overlooking White Rock Lake

A note before you go: 

Admission for the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden must be purchased online in advance to make your reservation. Also admission to the garden is separate from regular park tickets, so you’ll need to budget accordingly if you are visiting both parks. 

Strollers and wheelchairs can be used in the Children’s Garden, but wagons are not permitted. Also, you’ll want to bring hats and sunscreen during the warm months and bundle up accordingly in the colder parts of the year. 

Food items are served at the park for purchase so you can make a day of it – especially when the legendary “Autumn in the Arboretum” opens September 21 or any of the special “The Year of the Children” performances and activities. 

Have fun exploring and learning about nature!

Top 5 Fall TV Premieres You Must Watch

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TV Thursday:

I don’t consider myself a TV junkie, but let’s face it I am (have you seen my Mad Men Moms weekly show? Don’t.) However, after all my tasks are done for the day, I relish the thought of one hour, kidless and quiet to immerse myself in whatever drama that my DVR has loaded up for me. 


Thankfully, with the summer coming to a close, that means that the good shows will once again give me a reason to yearn for a motorcycle jacket, become a country singer and take a trip to Atlantic City. Starting this weekend you’ll know where I’ll be. Check out these trailers for my Top 5 picks of season premieres I can’t wait to watch. 

1. Boardwalk Empire – September 8, 2013



2. Sons of Anarchy – September 10, 2013


3. Nashville – September 25, 2013


4. Masters of Sex – September 29, 2013
Because the trailer even makes me blush, you can click on over to see it yourself if you are as curious as I am about this Showtime series premiere. Just make sure there’s no one around because they’ll definitely be asking, “What are YOU watching?” (Yes, this is explicit, but the folks at Showtime let you know that in the title right?) 

5. Downton Abbey – January 2014


Ok, so this one isn’t this fall, but I’m already primed to watch for the January 2014 debut of Season 4. It’s almost worth a visit to see my friends, Will and Kate to see their new addition just to watch the new season a few months in advance of the US. 

What shows are you excited to watch this fall? 


Why Care for Kyle’s Care {Cross Post}

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As a mom of a child with a Congenital Heart Defect, anytime I hear of another family going through the pain and stress that it can bring to a child, I feel a little pang in my heart and for just a second that moment in the hospital wondering if you’ll every have your child in your arms without cords, beeps and nurses comes flooding back. 


So when a father shared the story of him losing his child to CHD over the radio, I had to move to the side of the road and listen to the rest of his story. Thankfully, his mourning and the memory of his son has turned into a cause to help thousands of others at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth. 

Learn more about this cause, how you can help and keep the memory of Kyle alive with Kyle’s Care in my post on Mom2MomDFW. 


Mama Challenge on TV: Texas Dishes Put to the Pinterest Test on Good Morning Texas 9/3/13 {Recipes}

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Try-it Tuesday:


I’m putting John Wayne and some other Texas-themed Pinterest recipes to test again on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas! if you are coming to MamaChallenge.com for the first time because you saw me on TV, then I’m so excited to have here! I hope you stay a while and enjoy some of my other fun posts including my challenges for the newest fitness fads, local restaurants and cool products. 

Looking for those recipe fixes? then check them out below. While I didn’t come up with these recipes, I have added a few tips to make them even better. (Well except for the Corn Nuggets, they needed a little bit more help!)

John Wayne Casserole 
Source: Adapted from Mississippi Magazine 

Ingredients: 
2 pounds ground beef, cooked and drained 
1 (1.25-ounce) packet taco seasoning 
4 ounces sour cream 
4 ounces mayonnaise 
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided 
1 yellow onion, sliced 
2 cups biscuit mix 2 tomatoes, sliced 
1 green bell pepper, sliced 
1 (4-ounce) can sliced jalapeno peppers
Directions: 
1. Heat oven to 325. Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning and water, according to packet instructions; set aside. 
2. In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, 4 ounces of cheddar cheese, and half of the onions; set aside. 
3. Stir biscuit mix and water (directions on box) [MamaChallenge Tip: This is about one cup. I couldn’t find any directions on my box of biscuit mix!] to form soft dough. Pat dough on the bottom and one-half-inch up the sides of an 9 x 13 in. greased casserole dish. 
4. Saute remaining onions and bell peppers until slightly tender. 
5. On top of biscuit mix, evenly distribute ingredients in the following order: ground beef, tomato slices, green peppers, onions, jalapeno peppers, sour cream mixture and end with remaining shredded cheese. 
6. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until edges of dough are lightly browned.

Texas Corn Nuggets
Ingredients:
1 (11 ounce) can creamed corn
1 (11 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg white
2 tablespoons milk
salt and pepper to taste
3 cups vegetable oil for deep frying
Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, stir together the creamed corn and drained whole kernel corn. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat with vegetable oil or cooking spray. [Mama Challenge Tip: Add about 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs to make the batter less runny.]
2.  Drop spoonfuls of the corn mixture onto the sheet, and freeze until firm, about 3 hours. [Mama Challenge Tip: Don’t use a cookie sheet, use a mini-muffin tin. Otherwise the batter will become a big sheet of corn instead of nuggets.]
3. Heat one inch of oil to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) in a large deep skillet, or fill a deep-fryer with oil as directed by the manufacturer.
4.  Mix together the cornmeal, flour, egg white, milk, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. [Mama Challenge Tip: Mix the cornmeal, flour, salt and pepper in one bowl to make a dry bath. In another bowl mix the egg white and milk together for a wet bath. Then dip the frozen nuggest in the dry bath, the wet bath and then the dry bath again.] Dip frozen corn nuggets in the batter, and quickly fry in hot oil until golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain. 
Serve with a chipotle ranch dressing like this recipe or pick up one at the store!

Texas Caviar
Ingredients:
two cans of black beans, rinsed
one can of corn, drained
eight smaller roma tomatoes
half of one onion
half of a pepper
half cup of sour cream
fourth of a cup of mayo
two tablespoons of red wine vinegar
one teaspoon of cumin
one teaspoon of chili powder
half a teaspoon of salt
fourth teaspoon of garlic
black pepper to taste
hot sauce/jalepeño (optional)
Directions: 
1. Chop the onions, peppers and tomatoes in tiny pieces. (think: the same size as the corn and beans.)
mix all the vegetables, beans and corn and place in the fridge.
2. In another bowl mix sour cream, mayo, vinegar, seasonings, and hot sauce until smooth and blended. get the salsa out of the fridge and add the sauce.
3. Stir until it’s all blended.
4. Serve with tortilla chips or other munchies and enjoy!

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Does Camp Gladiator Really Make You a Gladiator?

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I received one complimentary one-month Camp Gladiator for the purposes of this review. However, all the views and comments expressed are my own.  About a month ago I accepted the mama challenge to participate in one month of Camp Gladiator. I didn’t know what to expect and to tell you the truth I was scared I couldn’t hang with the group – especially since I’m not the most coordinated individual to begin with plus my “extra luggage” probably didn’t help the cause either. However, my true desire to be a healthier person for me and a healthier example for my kids was enough reason three days a week to set my alarm clock for 4:40 am and make it to the 5:15 class. 

And boys and girls, I’m not a morning person. But thankfully from good music (a fundamental must for me), interesting routines, and a great attitude from my trainer, it gave me the incentive to see it through. I was pretty skeptic that much could happen in the 12 camp sessions I attended during the 30 days, but at least it could get me into a very much needed routine of getting up early and working out (which is the only time I have available to exercise even though there are CG times available all day and all over DFW.) So every day I got up, sweat my ass off and got stronger.  The recommended CG plan includes meal recommendations as well as additional cardio days for campers to complete on their own time for achieveing maximum results. While I tried to maintain a moderately healthy diet plan, it wasn’t as stringent as it could be. Additionally, my only additional cardio was my awesome Friday Spin Cycle class at my local YMCA.  Needless, to say, I wasn’t doing myself any favors. But at least I was getting up and going.  So after one month it was time to compare my first day’s measurements with my Day 30 measurements. I’ll admit, I was nervous, but there was nothing I could change at this point except to continue to do what I was doing or do even more. No matter what. So the big reveal begins: 

Arms:        Lost .5 inch
Chest:       Lost 2 inches
Waist:       Lost 1 inch
Hips:         Lost .25 inches
Thighs:      Lost 1 inch

I was pretty excited, but can you imagine what could happen if I stepped it up a little for another month?  Luckily for you this month Camp Gladiator is celebrating its 5th year of changing lives and 500 camp. So to share in the fun, they are offering MAMA CHALLENGE READERS their normal $95 camp for only $50. That’s a pretty good deal when you compare it to any other fitness plan you can sign up for (believe me, I know because I have done many of them.) Just make sure you write down: Autumn Reo in your referral! 


I’m signed up for my second camp and I’d love for you to join me. Especially since I just decided to add another two extra days onto my schedule for five full days of Camp Gladiator. And I can’t wait to share those results with you then too! If it is your first camp, make sure you read up on 10 great tips for making the most of your first Camp Gladiator! 

See the San Antonio Riverwalk in 35 Minutes #ReoRoadTrip

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The last leg of our three day Texas Hill Country journey brought us to San Antonio. We had seen a lot, enjoyed the water at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels hand wined-and-dined at the JW Marriott San Antonio. Now we had to make a trip to one of the most historical places in Hill Country, San Antonio. However, we only had a few hours to enjoy the sites and show little man some of the landmarks that might not make a huge impact now, but would give me a basis to continue his learning lessons in Texas history (yes, we are proud Texans!) 


 Once we ventured into Downtown SA in the Toyota Highlander, we were lucky to find a parking spot next to the Riverwalk (thanks to the valet parking helper) and make our way down waterside rather easy. July is hot and humid in San Antonio, so we wanted to make a plan quickly before we melted and lunchtime created a huge rush along the riverside restaurants. So what to do on the Riverwalk when you have a five-year-old in the middle of the summer? 

One of the things I had never done as many times as I have been to San Antonio over the years was take a Riverwalk boat tour. For only $8.25 for adults and $2 for my son, we were able to cruise the river with Rio San Antonio Cruises. To be honest, I was pretty excited as well, so we jumped on and let our lovely guide give us the quick version of how the Riverwalk became the Riverwalk. 

 Our guide was full of information and humor as we made our way down Paseo del Rio. While you don’t go end-to-end, the 35-minute tour is just enough to get your lay of the land, especially if you’ve never done the Riverwalk. You also get a chance to take some great photos and stake out your dining spot (a must-do in my opinion for any San Antonio trip (the people watching is priceless plus it’s just beautiful!) 



While the Alamo is not along the San Antonio River, it is very close and another requirement for any San Antonio trip. So we ran over a few blocks and snapped the obligatory photo. While a tour of the Alamo is also a must-do, I felt like a few more years would really make a bigger impact so we saved that one for our next family Hill Country trip. 


 After looking at our 72-hour jaunt to Hill Country, I can’t believe we were able to enjoy so much of so many things that Texas has to offer – and it was just one area of The Lone Star State. What I also learned is what we’ll do for our next trip – and perhaps the next time we’d let daddy and the little girl come. Maybe. 

Shoe Shopping for Back-to-School at Famous Footwear

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Mama Mondays: 
Disclaimer: I was provided a gift card from Famous Footwear as well as the opportunity to shop for as many shoes as possible as part of a local Famous Footwear event hosted by Dallas Moms Blog. All the comments here are my own. 

It’s no secret that I have issues with shoes. Really. 

While I enjoy looking at them, I don’t like to wear them. When you have a wide foot it makes it hard to put on cute shoes and be comfortable. That’s why I’m the queen of sandals and always in need of a new pair of shoes – at least ones that aren’t summer specific. And since it was also right before back-to-school, I wasn’t the only Reos could use another pair of kicks. 

That meant shopping. And shoe shopping is the worst… 

However, just in time, I was invited to a little special “mama time” with some friends to do a little private shoe shopping at Famous Footwear. Thank goodness. I needed some female opinions so I could make some purchases in a reasonable amount of time that weren’t just comfortable, but functional and hopefully, cute too!

Oh, how I found all kinds of choices – just which ones should I buy? 

Considering my current athletic shoes were about two years old (and just a little note, that’s way too long to not replace your running shoes), I really could use a pair, especially since the ones this season are fun, bright and very colorful. There were also some adorable Sperry boat-style shoes that were SO cute. I’ve always liked Sperry’s for the whole family, especially since they give moms like me an alternative to flip flops – ideal during the winter time! Black and white damask with red laces, sequins and even leopard print, I eyed several pairs I would want to add to my wardrobe. And of course, I would have to peak at some gladiator sandals, my always go-to. The ones I found were so hot and had a little Bohemian vibe. Adorable. 

What to buy. What to buy? What to buy! 

Thankfully, for a limited time, I didn’t have to purchase just one pair, but could get a second pair half off! (Gotta love some BOGO 1/2 off!) Then add my special discount for being a Famous Footwear Rewards member, I had discounts coming out my ears! Now that +  shoe shopping was something to be excited about. 
It was time I leaped over to the kids’ aisle. While my little girl is a little young for these Converse, I couldn’t help but stop to take a look at them. With all kinds of colors and fun tongues that even included emoticons on the reverse side, these shoes screamed “I would have to have you IF I had a teen!” 

Finally reaching the little girls’ shoes, I set eyes on a pair of tennis shoes that Miss T. had to have. They were pink, glittery, blingy, and had studs all over them! And they lit up too! And considering little girl had a birthday the next day, I just had to snatch these up and surprise her for her big day! Aren’t these Skechers CUTE!?!


Starting to really find my stride after my first must-have, I spotted this sign:
Discovering this great little kernel of knowledge was perfectly timed since I had eyed me a pair of these Naturalizer Peep Toes (both stylish and comfortable!) Unfortunately, my size was missing! What to do, what to do? I just brought the shoes to the register and they took my address. For $0, they would send these gotta-have heels to my doorstep. (Now that’s service!)
And that wasn’t all either! A little love from Lady Luck made me a winner of an opportunity to get as many pairs of shoes as I wanted in :30 seconds with a little shop-to-you-drop. That meant I was able to pull a pair of Sperry’s for both me and my hubs, plus, of course, those cute shoes for my two-year-old! (And I may have also found a pair of sandals that would get a little play for the remaining weeks of the summer!)

So perhaps, maybe, I don’t mind shoe shopping. Especially if I can get it all in one place and at a price I can afford. Thanks to Famous Footwear, I was able to find that and more. 

Now I understand why their tagline is “Victory is Yours.” 

There’s a mama challenge I was excited to win. 


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