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mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

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White Bean Chicken Chili {As seen on TV}

November 4, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

White-Bean-Chicken-Chili

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White Bean and Chicken Chili


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Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onions, chopped
  • 1 garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons, Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend
  • 1 4-ounce can green chiles, chopped
  • 1–2 16-ounce cans Cannellini white beans
  • 3 cups chicken stock or canned broth
  • 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, grated (or more — to taste)
  • Cream Cheese (optional)
  • Cilantro (optional)
  • Sour Cream/Greek Yogurt (option)

Instructions

  1. In stockpan, cook chicken with water until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and cool. Cube.
  2. Over medium-high heat with oil, add onions and sauté until translucent, about 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic, then seasoning blend; sauté 2 minutes.
  4. Add undrained beans and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add chicken and cheese to chili; stir until cheese melts. (If you want a super rich pot of chili, add a few tablespoons of cream cheese and stir until melted.)
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Serve with cheese and sour cream. (Cilantro optional)

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Want s’more, please?  

Chili-Recipes-Done-Three-Ways

Chili Done Three Ways

Easy-5-Ingredient-Texas-Chili

Easy 5-Ingredient Texas Chili

White-Bean-Chicken-Chili-Pinterest

White Bean Chicken Chili

Tex-Mex-Chili

Tex-Mex Chili Recipe

 Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend

Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend

November 4, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

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Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend


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Ingredients

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  • 4 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 Tablespoons cumin
  • 2 Tablespoons ground oregano
  • 2 Tablespoon garlic powder
  • (Peppers: Red, White, Black, Ancho, Habanero or Chipotle optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix together in jar and keep on hand to use for chili months at a time.
  2. 1 Tablespoon per 1 pound of meat.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Want s’more, please?  

Chili-Recipes-Done-Three-Ways

Chili Done Three Ways

Easy-5-Ingredient-Texas-Chili

Easy 5-Ingredient Texas Chili

White-Bean-Chicken-Chili-Pinterest

White Bean Chicken Chili

Tex-Mex-Chili

Tex-Mex Chili Recipe

 Homemade Chili Seasoning Blend


Italian Twist on Chicken Enchiladas: Mexican Manicotti

November 3, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 23 Comments

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Weave Made Media® and Barilla®, but all my opinions are my own. #weavemade #BarillaFiesta http://my-disclosur.es/RgFrEH

In our home, we never get tired of Mexican food. However, my family loves Italian food almost as much as Latin-inspired cuisine. That’s why choosing between whether we eat tortillas or pasta makes getting dinner decisions difficult. I decided there had to be a way to make everyone happy.

chicken-enchiladas-twist-mexican-manicotti-Barilla#ad


So of course, we compromised. And so was the birth of Mexican Manicotti. Taking a delicious favorite, chicken enchiladas with sour cream sauce, I substituted Barilla manicotti pasta for the tortillas.

The recipe is quick to make (taking on a 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook) and I made it even easier by using rotisserie chicken.

chicken-enchilada-mexican-manicotti-Barilla-Noodles #ad

Step 1: Boil manicotti noodles.

shredded-chicken-enchilada-mexican-manicotti- #ad

Step 2: Mix chicken and cheese together.

chicken-enchilada-mexican-manicotti-noodles #ad

Step 3: Stuff the noodles.

easy-chicken-enchilada-mexican-manicotti #ad

Step 4: Cook the noodles and then enjoy!

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Mexican Manicotti


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Description

The perfect marriage of Italian and Mexican cuisines…this dish is like creamy Chicken Enchiladas, but with manicotti noodles!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 box Barilla manicotti noodles, cooked al dente
  • 2 lbs of chicken, shredded (I use rotisserie chicken without the skin)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 TBSP olive oil
  • 1 cup monterrey jack cheese
  • 1 TBSP garlic
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/4 c. butter
  • 1/4 c. all purpose flour
  • 2 c. chicken broth
  • 1 c. dairy sour cream
  • 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. To cook the manicotti noodles, follow the instructions on the box. Allow to cool.
  3. Meanwhile in large bowl combine cheese, onion and chicken.
  4. Using a small spoon, gently stuff chicken mixture into manicotti noodles and place into a large casserole dish.
  5. In saucepan, melt butter, blend in flour, seasonings, add chicken broth, and cook until mixture thickens and bubbles.
  6. Stir in sour cream and green chilies.
  7. Cook until heated through, but do not allow to boil.
  8. Pour sauce over manicotti. Cover top of of sauce with remaining cheese.
  9. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

After my little experiment, I had all kinds of new ideas on how to use all the Barilla pasta types I found at Walmart. I hadn’t even tried all the noodle types so the choices were endless.  By checking out the Barilla Pinterest page, I found all types of recipes and dinner ideas for DAYS.

Oh the possibilities with pasta! @barillaus #BarillaFiesta #WeaveMade #ad

A photo posted by Mama Challenge (@autumnreo) on Oct 10, 2014 at 7:12am PDT

And if you need even more ideas, Barilla will be at selected Walmart stores, Nov. 6-9 sharing recipes featuring wavy lasagna and elbow pasta.

[Tweet “@Barilla hosts food demos at @Walmart, Nov. 6-9! Get recipe ideas + this one –> #ad http://wp.me/p574nU-mq #weavemade #BarillaFiesta”]

Whether it’s a momentous occasion or just a normal Monday, Barilla is the right way to celebrate with your family’s meals!

italian-chicken-enchiladas #ad

 

 

Pumpkin Honey Butter

October 22, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Need a little pumpkin in your life? Sure you do!(As seen on Good Morning Texas.)

 This pumpkin pie butter with your toast at breakfast or your dinner roll at supper to ensure you are getting your daily dose of pumpkin in your life. It takes about 5 minutes and is a lot less calories than a pumpkin pie!

Pumpkin Butter

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Pumpkin Pie Butter


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Description

Makes a great gift when a baked good for the holidays.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 stick butter, softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
  • 3 Tablespoons of pumpkin puree
  • 2 Tablespoons of honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. Beat the butter with a mixer until smooth.
  2. Add pumpkin pie spice and then 1/2 pumpkin puree until combined. Add remaining puree and mix until smooth.
  3. Add honey and vanilla then beat until thick and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  4. Keep refrigerated in a sealed container until ready to use.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Pumpkin Butter

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment:

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Caramel Stuffed Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

October 22, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

I can’t say anything but these are worth suspending your diet plan for the week. That, and they taste best warm out of the oven. I promise if you aren’t married, you will be if you make these for your beloved because they will love you for how good these taste.

That’s pumpkin love at work.

Caramel Stuffed Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Caramel Stuffed Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies


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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 + 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
  • 1/3 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 + 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons + 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 semi-sweet/dark chocolate chips
  • 1 (14 ounce) bag of Kraft Caramels (for hard, chewy middles), unwrapped

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer beat the butter and 1 cup sugar together on medium speed 2 minutes. Add the pumpkin and vanilla beat on low 2 more minutes.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together the flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, cloves, ginger, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add to the sugar mixture and beat on low just until combined. Then add chocolate chips until mixed. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
  3. Then scoop up very slightly rounded tablespoons of the dough, stick a caramel in the center and roll into a ball.
  4. Place onto parchment lined pan.
  5. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
  6. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk the remaining 1/2 cup sugar with 2 tablespoons cinnamon in a wide, shallow bowl.
  7. Working in batches, roll the cookies in the cinnamon sugar and bake 2 inches apart for 14 minutes. Don’t let dough get warm between batches.
  8. After 14 minutes, take out cookies to warm to the touch and remove from pan. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Don’t miss this #mamachallenge moment: 

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

 

Breakfast South of the Border with Texas Chilaquiles

October 19, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 25 Comments

Hands down breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.  Make it Mexican style, I’m absolutely head over heels. With a “mama challenge” from Wolf® Brand Chili to create something bold and flavorful,  I created a recipe for Texas Chilaquiles that any Abuelita would be proud to serve.

CloseChiliquiles##BoldWolfChili#Ad

Wolf® Brand Chili is a deliciously bold and recipe for Texas-made, Texas-loved Chili. For generations, Wolf® Brand Chili has delivered authentic Texas chili taste on everything from Hot Dogs, Mac ‘N Cheese, Taco Pizza and now some really good Texas Chilaquiles.

Vertical#BoldWolfChili#Ad


If you’ve never had Chilaquiles, the dish is an old Mexican recipe to use up the left over chips and other ingredients from the week. For me, one of the best parts of the dish is the crunch from the tortilla chips. But don’t just open up a bag of chips, you’ll want to fry up your own chips. It only takes a few minutes and make this breakfast go from buen to muy bueno.

TortillaChips#BoldWolfChili#Ad

This recipe took only about 20 minutes to make and that included the tortilla chips. Of course, if you have chips or tortillas from the night before, you can always warm those up with a quick refry to get them crisp and ready to hold all the goodness you are about to put on top of them.

ChilaquilesRecipe#BoldWolfChili#Ad

While this is considered a “breakfast” dish, a meal this hearty can be eaten any time of the day…especially when it’s cold outside and you want something to warm you up. For me, it’s when you cut into the egg and it runs over the chili when you know you’ve struck “gold.” Add cilantro, salsa, sliced avocados and even some jalapenos to really go bold!

Landscape#BoldWolfChili#Ad

How do you eat in your make your chili bold and flavorful? Share it here and on the Wolf® Brand Chili Facebook page. 
WolfChiliLogo#BoldWolfChili#Ad

This is a sponsored post written by me on the behalf of the Wolf® Brand Chili. #BoldWolfChili

 

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Three Must-Have Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

September 22, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

Thanks to Market Street DFW for this sponsored post about my favorite time of year, Autumn!

3 Must Have Pumpkin

When you’re name is Autumn, I feel like this time of year I’m in my prime…


The first sign of the season starts with mums, cooler temps and the appearance of pumpkins mean I’m right on cue. So on a cool, crisp September day, I stopped into Market Street and low and behold – it was pumpkin-palooza! Every size, color and type was already on display, just waiting for me to take them home. (And I found out later, they are happy for you to return to their “pumpkin patch” and take photos for fall!)

Pumpkins

WhitePumpkinMarketStreet

PumpkinsMarketStreet

Now that it’s official fall, I was ready to begin making everything pumpkin. From breakfast to baked goods, I find a way to make pumpkin a part of every meal. However, since I’m working to incorporate more healthy, clean eating into our family lifestyle, I was going to have to do a little bit of work on the front end to create those delicious pumpkin recipes!

So here are the three must-have core recipes everyone needs for everything pumpkin! Pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin pie filling.

PumpkinPuree

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Homemade Pumpkin Puree


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Ingredients

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  • 1 small pumpkin, rinsed and dried

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cut pumpkin in sections from top to bottom.
  3. Remove the stem.
  4. Remove all the seeds and fiber with a spoon or metal measuring cup until only the flesh is left.
  5. Lay pieces fleshside down on a roasting pan
  6. Fill pan with 1/2 cup of water.
  7. Place pumpkin pieces in oven for 1 hour until soft.
  8. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool for one hour.
  9. Once cool, remove the flesh from the peel and put into a blender or food processor and mix until smooth, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  10. Use immediately or place into 1 cup bags in freezer bags and store flat in the freezer for quick use.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

PumpkinPieSpice

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

PumpkinPiefilling

Pumpkin Pie Filling

 

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice {Recipe}

September 22, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

Pumpkin tastes great but it’s the combination of pumpkin pie spice that makes it amazing! This recipe is easy to make and you’ll have it ready for all your pumpkin dishes all season long!


PumpkinPieSpice

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Pumpkin Pie Spice


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Ingredients

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  • 4 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 4 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 4 teaspoons allspice
  • 4 teaspoons cloves
  • 4 teaspoons ginger

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine all the spices and stir together. Store them al in a airtight container and use as needed.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge


Homemade Pumpkin Pie Filling {Recipe}

September 22, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

PumpkinPiefilling

 

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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Filling {Recipe}


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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup homemade pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 sugar (brown or white sugar. You could also use agave)
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

  1. Blend pumpkin puree, sugar pumpkin pie spice until smooth.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Three Healthy Back-to-School Recipes in Three Minutes

August 25, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

Today is a big day for our family! We have a first grader! Isn’t he adorable?

Not only does that mean he’s getting older, but that mama has a whole new set of challenges to get a healthy breakfast on the table in the mornings, tasty lunches that my kid will want to eat and have nutritious dinner made for my family – and that’s EVERYDAY!


B2School

So I shared some of my shortcuts today on GOOD MORNING TEXAS that hopefully can make it a little bit easier for all of us, especially on this first day BACK-TO-SCHOOL!

Breakfast 

Who doesn’t like donuts for breakfast?!? However, these are made with applesauce and tons of other healthy stuff that make it good to eat donuts! Did I also mention they are Paleo and Gluten-free, too!

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Healthy Honey Donuts (Paleo & Gluten Free)


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Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 cup of applesauce (I prefer apple-cinnamon Go Go squeeZ)
  • 1/ cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 1 cup quinoa flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp honey to dip or drizzle on donut

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat donut pan with melted coconut oil.
  2. Add bananas and applesauce to food processor and blend into smooth
  3. Pour into a large mixing bowl and add coconut oil, vanilla, egg and honey and whisk until egg is combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine flours, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and mix until incorporated.
  5. Pour dry ingredients unto wet and mix thoroughly.
  6. Pour batter into donut pan.
  7. Bake for approx. 20-25 minutes, until dough bounces back after being pressed.
  8. Cool for about 5 minutes in pan, then remove to a cooling rack.
  9. When donuts have cooled slightly, add drizzled honey or dip donuts in honey while warm.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Lunch

Lunch doesn’t have to be that hard to make it fun to eat and healthy, too! Have fun making it and ask the kids to help you, too! Here’s a few recipe for ham & cheese sushi, make-your-own “lunchables” and a whole lot of mutitasking tips that will make you “Mom of the Year” without a lot of time, money or work!

3 Must-Do Tips to Get Back-to-School Ready

Easy & Quick Back-to-School COOL Lunch Ideas

GGS

Dinner

And last, but not least – it’s dinner time! Probably the hardest meal for any family since so much can happen to affect getting it done! So rather than resort to a drive-through or something frozen, consider the fabulous rotisserie chicken!  Like the answer to my dreams, the rotisserie chicken is healthy, cheap and can be made into everything! Just check out this Pinterest Board and you can have rotisserie chicken on the menu weekly and never repeat a recipe!

 Follow Autumn Reo {mamachallenge.com}’s board Rotisserie Chicken Recipes on Pinterest.

For all the other days? Emeals! (Affiliate link included.)

EMeals subscription-based service gives you a week’s worth of grocery shopping for your diet plan on a budget and the recipes so you aren’t busy figuring things out. Dave Ramsey recommends this and so do other budget savvy websites. Right now you can get 20% of any eMeals Meal Plan with the code SCHOOL!

Back to School. Save 20% with code SCHOOL

Save 20% with code SCHOOL

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SHOP MAMACHALLENGE!


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I put it off all day because I didn’t want to ha I put it off all day because I didn’t want to have to start the inevitable, but here we are the first #SeniorSunday for Jackson Benham Reo. (I’m so not ready.)
Doubled-down and won big! Congrats to @daynetxbbq Doubled-down and won big! Congrats to @daynetxbbq for being named #7 in @texasmonthly 2025 Top 50 BBQ! 

We’ve done our own BBQ stop shopping this last year from our own @hurtadobbq, @smokenashbbq and @225bbq in Arlington, @goldeesbbq and @panthercitybbq in Fort Worth, @zavalasbarbecue in Grand Prairie and @franklinbbq in Austin, no one can say that BBQ is BBQ. It’s as vastly different as the landscape as Texas. Now I’m off to @burntbeanco - #sequin here we come with the rest of the state!

#bbq #texasbbq
I can’t believe these are my people…my people I can’t believe these are my people…my people are supposed to be toddlers with Thomas the Train and Disney Princess backpacks! 

Goodbye 11th and 7th grade!
🚨 ACT NOW: Keep Public $$$ in Public Schools! 🚨

Click Here (takes less than one minute): 
https://www.txpta.org/take-action

Tomorrow, March 11, the Texas House Committee on Public Education will hear HB 3. Let’s make it clear: Public money demands public accountability!

Texans have rejected vouchers since 1957—yet lawmakers are once again pushing them through with SB 2 and HB 3.

💰 Vouchers drain public school resources.
📉 They don’t improve student achievement.
❌ They aren’t about "parent choice"—private schools choose their students.
🏫 Texas parents already have school choice.

Governor Abbott is making vouchers a priority, but Texans are pushing back. Lawmakers are feeling the heat from voters who refuse to let public schools be undermined.

📲 Take 1 minute to make your voice heard NOW!

📷Jackson and Taylor are 2 of the 5.5 million reasons why Texas must keep public dollars in public schools. I was a product of public schools and had an amazing experience in a rural community with some of the best teachers. Change needs to happen, but taking away resources like these from schools is not especially when they ste already underfunded and our teachers’ morale is at an all time low. Communities work better together not when you separate them further apart. 

#studentsrworthit
#txptarally25
❣️…Pressing pause (for while)… Forgot wha ❣️…Pressing pause (for while)…

Forgot what it feels like to RELAX? The Sanford House Inn & Spa is ready to help you “Leave Your Worries Behind” with packages to treat yourself (or someone else) this Valentine’s Day! 

You “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with multiple options including a Hot-Stone Massage, Facials, Spa Manicure + Pedicure, Blowouts, Foot Reflexology and even lunch (with wine!

Just take a look at my face - I was able to “turn it off” (for a little while) and when I left my dry winter skin was just glowing - plus I learned how to make it stay that way from my very  knowledgeable esthetician! 

If you haven’t tried this gem in the middle of Arlington, you’re missing out! The Spa is just part of experience with its 12-room Inn and acclaimed 506 Restaurant (don’t sleep on the brunch), @thesanfordhouse is your little piece of heaven in the middle of downtown!

Think it’s only a little dream? It will be if you don’t make an appointment or nudge your loved one this is what you NEED for Valentine’s Day! (But don’t worry you can still get a great experience anytime!)

Link is in my stories for full list of Valentine’s Day packages! 

📍506 N. Center Street, Arlington, Texas
(Less than 1 mile from @attstadium)

#valentines #dfw #ArlingtonTx #sanfordhouse
Texas Bucket List ✔️= Johnson City Lights Thi Texas Bucket List ✔️= Johnson City Lights

This is the last weekend of the “Christmas lights you can see from space” from the twinkliest town in Texas, @visitjctx!

You have until Sunday…and while you’re there you should hit up @halterranchtx, my other new favorite.

#gofredtx #fredericksburgtx @visitfredtx @visitfredericksburgtx
FLASH GIVEAWAY: Just because Santa’s left the st FLASH GIVEAWAY: Just because Santa’s left the station doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a Classic Christmas (and we have the keys!)

@ClassicChristmas has been extended until Sunday, Jan. 5, so if you haven’t been enjoy this VIP experience with ice skating and snow tubing! 

Giveaway includes 4 Tickets to Classic Christmas + 4 Premium pass upgrades plus: 
🎟️ Exclusive Express Lane entry to popular activities 
🎟️ $10 merch credit at the Classic Christmas Gift Shop  
🎟️ Coca-Cola Beverage

To enter:   
⭐️ Like this post  
⭐️ Comment what’s your favorite Christmas song 
⭐️ Tag a friend who would love the chance to come
⭐️ Share this story as an extra chance to win!

The giveaway is open now through December 30 at 11:59 pm and you’ll have December 31 - January 5, 2025 to enjoy the fun! Winner will be contacted by DM so profile must be public.  (Giveaway is not associate with Instagram/META.) 

#classicchristmas #cocacola #Arlingtontx #ArlingtonTexas #cocacola @enchantdallas #dfw #dfwevents #mamachallenge #dfwinfluencer #dallasinfluencer
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW // Trinity Falls Tour of WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW // Trinity Falls Tour of Trees

 🎄 Tour of Trees at Trinity Falls in McKinney
 🗓️ Now through Dec. 15 (so hurry up!) 

Know what’s better than touring homes? Touring homes with beautifully decorated Christmas trees! 

@trinityfallstx has brought both worlds together by inviting the public to explore their model homes with professionally- styled trees by @absholidaydecor at the 5th Annual Tour of Trees. While you marvel at the homes and the trees, take your photos in front of the trees for a chance to win $500 Amazon gift card.  

TIP: Don’t miss the tree collaboration with #RHOD @dandrasimmons - it’s “beeutiful!” 🐝 

This event is FREE, but registration is required. (Link is in stories or DM “Tree” for the link.)

 #touroftrees #trinityfalls #trinityfallstx #mckinney #mckinneytx #mckinneytexas
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS - Dallas Zoo WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS - Dallas Zoo Lights

🌲 Dallas Zoo
🗓️ Now - January 4 

Wonder what the @dallaszoo is like after dark? Once Upon a Wild Light comes alive with more than two million lights, 5:30 pm - 9 pm each night through January (so you can do this one with your family during the holiday break!) 

While many of the animals sleep, DinoLumia and DinoVision: a Jurassic adventure comes out to play, along with tons of holiday light photo opps and winter fun experiences. Enjoy catching up through self-guided, self-paced walk-through and spend time together while taking photos, which is ideal if you don’t like the holiday overload! And don’t sleep on Santa here, as he has a certain twinkle in his eye the kids always seem to like to catch up with (mom was even able to get a shot.) 

And for the even bigger kids over 21, Dallas Zoo: After Dark, goes wild on Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-9 PM with eats, treats and holiday drinks,live music, and games and other ways to get you in the holiday spirit! 

 @DallasZoo @ReliantEnergy #dallas #dallasholiday #dfwevents #dallaszoolights #holidays #zoo #dallastexas #mamachallenge
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Classic Ch WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Classic Christmas 

🌲 Coca Cola Classic Christmas - Choctaw Stadium in Arlington  
🗓️ Now through Dec. 29

Growing up @cocacola made the holidays magic, so when Coca Cola Classic rolled down the road, we had to go peek! Partnering with @enchantchristmas, the experience is part lights, part photo opps and for my kids mostly FOOD and overall a lot of fun - all washed down with (of course, a Coca Cola!) 

What was also great was a little walk through memory lane with Coke Christmas moments throughout the years - cue the polar bears and 18 wheeler!

Experience: 
🎅Market Square (definitely hit up the t-shirts - reading each one is half the fun)
🎅 Snow Tubing (always our favorite)Ice Skating (truth: we don’t skate, but it’s perfect people watching) 
🎅 Interactive Light up Dance Floor
🎅 @cinemark Theatre with holiday movies 
🎅 Coca-Cola Lounge - 21+ Cocktail experience (looked great to go with the girls)
🎅 Santa Landing

And of course, the Eatery! Eyes (and mouths) got big here with featured food from State Fair of Tex winners like The Drowning Tacos (SO GOOD we then ordered the Birria Tacos, too all cooked onsite and with all the sauce!) 

It’s the real thing!

#ClassicChristmas #ChoctawStadium #ArlingtonTx #CocaCola #Dallas #DFWEvents #DFWHoliday #DFWInfluencers
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Prairie Li WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Prairie Lights

🎄 Prairie Lights, Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie 
🗓️ Now through Dec. 31 (NYE) at 6 pm 

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without @prairielights- with a packed car with blankets, Santa hats, hot cocoa and coffee, and blasting holiday music while we sing them even louder.  

A stunning two-mile drive through light park complete with a midway stop - The Holiday Village with carnival rides, amazing bites (corndogs, funnel cakes and more, oh my!) And this year we were surprised with a new light tunnel, reimagined walk-through forest and new displays, great photo opps, gifts, visit with Santa, a lighted strollable forest.  It’s perfectly timed for food, fun and a little time on foot! 

PRO TIP: Go early, get tickets in advance and spring for the fast pass on the weekends and prime holiday times. And enjoy it and don’t try to rush it - enjoy it! That includes entry and the experience (so bathroom before you go, but thankfully there’s one at The Holiday Village and you get the corn dog.) 

#GoGrandGP @grandfungp #GrandFunGP #dfwinfluencer #Dallas #grandprairie #prairielights #dfw
Mariah may be singing “it’s time,” but there Mariah may be singing “it’s time,” but there are still some ways to give a little love to Thanksgiving with a little DIY (hello old pumpkins!) from Mama Challenge! 

So excited to see my friends over at Good Day Fox 4 today for this fun segment!
Peardon My Reach - this one’s on repeat. 🍐 # Peardon My Reach - this one’s on repeat. 🍐 
#nationalcoffeeday 

#cinncinati #kentucky #newport #coffee #fall
Arlington makes Taco Tuesday even better by celebr Arlington makes Taco Tuesday even better by celebrating all month long with its #SaveTheTacos campaign, now - September 30.

Try and vote for “Best Taco in Arlington” from 12 participants:

🌮 Fiesta Fusion Shrimp Taco at Boiling Tails Co.

🌮 The Hunter Taco at Cut & Bourbon

🌮 El Jefe at Grounds and Gold
 
🌮 Jamaican Me Crazy at M’Jays House of Smoke

🌮 Champiqueso at Papaya Mexican Grill

🌮 What the Falafel at Prince Lebanese Grill

🌮 He’s Just a Po Boy at R Bar and Grill 

🌮 Celestial Pork Belly Taco at Rocketbelly
 
🌮 House Special Barbacoa at Tic-Taco
 
🌮 The Chicken of Wall “Street” at TJ’s Catfish & Wings & BBQ

🌮 Baja Shrimp Taco with Mango Salsa at Tom’s Burgers & Grill
 
🌮 Wanna Taco ‘Bout It at Zack’s Bistro

We can tell you which one is our favorite, but take away all the fun to find your favorite! 

(Link to Vote in Stories!)

#ArlingtonTX #TacoTuesday #SavetheTacos
Always great to see a few guys who work together l Always great to see a few guys who work together like each other, too.

It’s even better when they’re Texas Rangers and  we’re celebrating Hall of Famer Adrían Beltré!
And just like that…11th grade and 7th grade (and And just like that…11th grade and 7th grade (and then they drove off!)
Follow the “red light” to this one-of-a-kind e Follow the “red light” to this one-of-a-kind experience in DFW. 🚨 

Named after Bangkok’s legendary road of entertainment of all kinds (Sukhumvit Soi 11), it seems fitting this newly imagined destination would find its home in Arlington’s Entertainment District. Anchoring the NEW @loewsarlington, @soycowboytx (also from @bbbutchers / @berghospitality) recently swung open the curtain this summer with an opening that made heads turn at every corner of this 12,000 sq. ft. of sexy space - with 3 unique bars, patio, viewable kitchen and dining room. 

To call it a “Pan Asian restaurant” doesn’t do it justice with its rich menu of fresh sushi, dim sum, caviar, truffle, lobster, waygu (all things you don’t find in the home of the margarita machine and ballpark nachos.) And if you’re looking for entertainment, just take a peek into the expansive kitchen and watch your rolls or omakase be made. The cocktail menu is just as extravagant with everything from mezcal to Japanese whisky, you’re eyes will be just as happy as your lips upon your first sip. 

While we experienced live music, fashion show and more as part of the opening, the cool smoke installation and the people-watching is definitely just part of the menu at Soy Cowboy you’ll have to explore. 

Food Nerd Note: SoyCowboy is on the upcoming @dfwrestaurantweek menu for just $39, so it’s a steal to take your own trip on a budget. (Make your reservation.)

Chon mean (or what we hope is Cheers in in Thai!)
NEWS ALERT: Dallas Food Nerd is now on TV! 📺 ( NEWS ALERT: Dallas Food Nerd is now on TV! 📺 
(Well today at least.)

Normally we’re always behind the smartphone camera, today we stepped out in front of the TV screen! The lovely folks at the new morning show Morning on Merit Street @morningonmeritstreet invited DFN for a little “roundtable” discussion about dining trends with our own Food Nerd @autumnreo / @mamachallenge and Bill Trevino of @craftandvinerestaurant CraftandVine along with hosts @dominiquesachse and @fanchonstinger for a little dishin’ on dining!

(If you’re able to take a look online, keep watching to see our new friend Pearl 🐶 and friends from @sweetpearlsicecream share their incredibly sweet story with @hungreehannah!) 

✔️ And just like we shared on the show, we want to know what you think! What do you think about Table Limits on reservations? Yes restaurants should have them or no way?
Round #2: Now he’s off for CIT at YMCA Camp Grad Round #2: Now he’s off for CIT at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce! It’s hard to separate them, but we’re excited he’s so happy to be ready for this adventure!
July 4th kicked a week early! 🎆 Love when the n July 4th kicked a week early! 🎆 Love when the neighborhood shines!
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