mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Get Your Pumpkin Fix with Café Brazil’s Holiday Menu – Starts 10/2/12

By Leave a Comment

Food Fridays


The taste of pumpkin is in the air. 

If the Snickerdoo coffee blend wasn’t enough reason to go daily, Cafe Brazil’s holiday menu debuts October 2 at all 10 locations for a limited time. So until you get your hands on those Cinnamon Pumpkin Pancakes on Tuesday, start plotting what else you’ll be ordering with a sneak peek at the menu!

**HOLIDAY ENTREES**

Cinnamon Pumpkin Pancakes
Three delicious Buttermilk Pancakes loaded with Cinnamon and Pumpkin and topped with Cinnamon Butter and Powdered Sugar



Banana Bread French Toast
Moist, delicious Banana Bread drenched in Egg Batter and lightly grilled. Topped with fresh Bananas and Berries, drizzled with our famous Crème Anglaise and our new Homemade Sweet Orange Sauce and dusted with Powdered Sugar and Walnuts



Chai Oatmeal
Skillet Oatmeal made with a blend of Milk and our delicious Chai Tea makes for a perfectly seasoned breakfast.  Served with a Fruit Cup and choice of Pastry


Pumpkin Cheesecake with Brownie Crust
Our unique Homemade Pumpkin Cheesecake with our delicious Brownie Walnut Crust, garnished with Chocolate Sauce



**SPECIALTY BEVERAGES**

S’Mores Latte or S’Mores Hot Cocoa
Blended with Steamed Milk and Toasted Marshmallow Syrup and topped with Whipped Topping, Chocolate Sauce, Marshmallows and Graham Cracker Crumbs


Caramel Apple Cider
Steamed Apple Cider flavored with Caramel Syrup and topped with Whipped Topping, Cinnamon and Caramel Sauce



**COFFEE FLAVORS**

Holiday Blend (available in decaf.)
A delightful combination of Cinnamon, Caramel, French Vanilla and Hazelnut

This story also appeared on DallasFoodNerd.com on Sept. 30, 2012.

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Butter Dreams Come True: Meet and Eat with Paula Deen and Bobby Flay

By Leave a Comment

While cooking might not be one of my strongest talents, eating and watching all things food is. My Pinterest board is full of all the things I’ll make in my next life and when the TV’s on…it’s Food Network that makes my heart (and my stomach) skip a beat. 

So when I heard that THE Paula Deen was going to be in Dallas for MetroCooking Dallas…I quickly jumped to see her Southern Highness whip up something and utter her magic twang that could make scrambled eggs sound like the best thing EVER. Speaking of the best thing ever (another Food Network reference), Paula’s not coming empty handed! She’s bringing Iron Chef, Boy Meets Grill, Food Network Star host – we’ll I could go on forever on his list of shows…Bobby Flay. And that’s just for starters.
Photo courtesy of MetrocookingDallas.com.
I do love me some Paula and Bobby, but some of the biggest stars scheduled for this food-lovers bonanza, are specialty food purveyors whose roots are already planted here in the Lone Star State. While food products from all over the U.S. will be on parade, being a proud Texas girl, I can’t help but spotlight these tasty treats that “reign supreme” in Texas.
If you have not heard of these companies, you should put them on your must-haves and must-tastes at this weekend’s MetroCooking Dallas.
Keller – Smokin’ Texas Gourmet
http://www.smokintexasgourmet.com
Inspired by Chef Peter Mollet, this Go Texan-approved product line of salsas, seasonings, sauces and more are all gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian friendly. Best sellers include Peach Salsa and Jalapeno Honey Mustard.
Dallas – The Kessler Cookie Company 
http://www.kesslercookies.com
Haven’t had the chance to bite into a Chocolate Chip Coconut Pecan cookie?  Then get in line. Or better yet, get scheduled for Clyde Greenhouse and Michal Taylor’s Club Kessler and they will send you a monthly supply.
Dallas – Canyon Specialty Foods
http://www.canyonfoods.com
Anne Connaly’s special touch can be found in her pestos, tapenades, soups, and anything else that one can think of to make something taste good. A testament to its goodness, Dallas’ favorite chefs, Dean Fearing, has teamed up for a custom collection featuring his recipe’s for Texas Mop Sauce, Silky Orange Blossom Sauce and his famed Tortilla Soup.
Richardson – Custom Cafe Foods 
http://www.customcafefoods.net
Quick and easy are two words that are key in the kitchen nowadays. But with these dry mixes of gourmet soups, quick breads, and specialty dips can make anyone seem like they’ve been slavin’ away for hours with only a few minutes, especially when the aroma of the Cheddar & Chive Quick Bread hits the air.
Anna – Luscombe Farm Specialty Foods
http://www.luscombefarm.com
Leslie Luscombe’s jellies make biscuits swoon when they enter the room. Toasted Pecan butter, Confetti Jelly and Jalapeno Peach have won awards at the State Fair and can dress up a cream cheese and cracker like nobody’s business.
Austin – Lammes Candies
https://lammes.com
WilliamWirt Lamme made his family name a legend more than 100 years ago with the Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines in 1892. Now the appropriately named Austin-based candy “Longhorns,” along with other homemade candy treats, make them a must-have for any real Texan.
Brenham – Del Sol Food Company
http://www.briannassaladdressing.com
Family-owned and operated for more than 30 years, this small-batch dressing maker already has long had a home on many dinner tables. Rich Poppy Seed, Chipotle Cheddar and Champagne Caper Vinaigrette flavors makes one almost forget the bed of greens underneath it.
Fredericksburg – Quintessential Chocolates Co.
http://www.chocolat-tx.us
Hand-rolled by Lecia Duke, these chocolates are as delicious to drink as they are to eat by filling them with liquors, cognacs and wines like Garrison Brothers Straight Shooter Texas Bourbon and Australian Tawny Port. Other treats come sans spirits, but the Tequila D’ Almendrado, their signature piece, is worth a shot.
Heath – Texas Toffee Queen
http://www.texastoffeequeen.com
Nancy Lalumia recreates her Sicilian family recipe of toffee into new flavors like White Chocolate Mango Chili, Dark Chocolate Salted Blood Orange and Dark Chocolate Salted Jalapeno. While you can find this one in your local grocery store, she’s happy to personalize these just for gift-giving with coordinated boxes and ribbon.
Houston – Fat Sister Southern Specialty Foods
http://www.fatsisterfoods.com
Anything called Fat Sister has got to be good and with pancake flavors like Pumpkin Spice, Butter Pecan and best-selling Peanut Butter, then Fat Sister can come over anytime. Making Nana and Paw-Paw proud, this still family-owned business has created an alter-ego, Skinny Sister, for those hankering for organic and gluten-free choices.
Spicewood – The Spicewood Food Company
http://spicewoodfood.com
David Lewis knows how to make any salad or sandwich mind-blowing with a great line of gourmet balsamic vinegars, infused olive oils and white truffle oil. Favorites include White Truffle Mustard, Blue Cheese Pecan Dipping Oil and Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar.

Photo courtesy of the Salado Wine Festival.  http://saladowinefestival.com 


I know I couldn’t think of something more flavor fully of fun than or more southern than a day smothered and covered with rich butter, spicy pepper and Texas food charm. Can’t you just smell the fun?
MetroCooking Dallas
September 22 & 23
Dallas Convention Center

Find a Baby Camera That Goes and Grows With You

By Leave a Comment

With two kids, I have had experience with all types of baby products that work (and don’t work) for my family. I remember with my first born I was set on having a nice, wooden high-chair that could become a furniture piece that could grow old with our family. I spent a lot of money on it and while it does look pretty, it’s the $25 plastic high chair that was our saving grace.

One good purchase that lasted for both kids though has been my trusty camera monitor. Being a mom you know that there are times you just need to see your baby to feel like it’s okay to go back to sleep. Unfortunately, a monitor next to my bed isn’t the only place I want a camera but in other places like in the kitchen when I am cooking or the laundry room. Even more so I could even be able to peek on her when I am not home and other people are watching her…So I was back to the drawing board to find something that did what my camera did and more.

Then coincidently, I found exactly what I was looking for. A local company called ourbabycamera.com seemed to have merged my need for a baby camera monitor with my handy, dandy most-loved IPhone. How awesome is that…and even better my family could utilize it anytime they signed on.


My interest was piqued, so installation, here we come!

While the product had a reasonably sized instruction manual, it wasn’t necessary since it was pretty easy to hook up. I went online to the website and went through the process using their quick run through. After an hour or so, I had made the connection and downloaded one of four different apps to use on my IPhone (this is an additional cost from $2.99 – 19.99) and then I was up and going. Better yet, I wasn’t just up and going, I was able to have a secure look at my child and also allow only those I wanted to “check in” on my baby girl!
I figured out this camera wasn’t just a baby camera, but was the camera that grows with your kids. While I still have a few years to worry about curfews, the app even allows you to set up a function to email you when your kid walks through the door! (Basically, there’s no need to wait up because it will email you with a time when they come through the door. And if I had a babysitter I wanted to check in on, I had that too. GENIUS!
Now there’s one more way to stay connected with your smartphone, tablet and (even) your old school PC or Mac!

If you are interested in learning more about this camera ourbabycamera.com will be at the Dallas Kids Expo, March 24 at Dallas Market Hall. Word is ourbabycamera.com will be offering a special on the camera with installation if you want to pick up yours immediately! While you are there, also make plans to bring the kids for Bob the Builder, bounce houses and other fun entertainment. Mom and dad can also learn about other local DFW resources including other baby products like this. Tickets are $12 at the door and kids 12 and under get in free with a jar of peanut butter for the North Texas Food Bank. For more information about the Dallas Kids Expo, check out their website at www.dallaskidsexpo.com.

***Ourbabycamera.com supplied the camera and mounting equipment for this review. The purchase of the app for my IPhone as well as my reviews are all my own.

Organize the Chaos

By Leave a Comment

Spring brings out the organizing bug in me. However, if you asked my husband and he would say I’m a freak about it all the time, but truly my intentions are good. I just want to run a well-oiled machine/household. Over the last few days I had begun my list of things I needed to purchase to be more organized when I was received a special invitation to get a sneak peak at the NEW Container Store in Arlington. I really couldn’t get more excited except that profits from sales during Grand Opening Weekend would benefit the local Junior League of Arlington, so it was a done deal that I was going to RSVP to this event. Oh what I didn’t know I was getting myself into.

During our tour of the new store during the blogger preview, I figured I could just bring in my list and mentally start shopping for those few things I needed. However, our hostess with the mostess pointed out a few things that honestly I didn’t know existed (like a special hook for basketballs, footballs, etc.). Needless to say my list was getting longer as I walked through the store. I couldn’t believe what all I ended up with in my basket and when I got home with my new goodies (both from my purchases and a nice bag of samples from Container Store), I was practically giddy.

So here’s your disclaimer now: If you want to see some great products that you didn’t know existed, but will never remember how you lived without them, then read on. If you aren’t excited by making life easier and better, then you’re probably not on the right blog…
Here’s a look at some of the coolest things in the world I got at the Container Store Opening Weekend in Arlington. While I didn’t buy everything in the list, I will tell you that if you need a day to just put all your stress behind you then spend a day at the Container Store. With the exception of the mass numbers of people in attendance for the grand opening weekend, I found the whole experience rather therapeutic. Just remember, CONTAIN YOURSELF! (For those of you who aren’t loyal shoppers, that’s actually their tagline!)


Packing Thing – Ball Holder Thingy – Real Name: Eagle Creek® Pack-It® Folder



Cable Holders – Real Name: CableDrop™ Cord Clips

Grid It – Real Name: GridIt!



Boot Holders – Real Name: Boot Shapers

Pin This!

Visit Mama Challenge's profile on Pinterest.

Pictures Say a 1000 Words

Follow Along!