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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Share Your Love with Easy Video App OneDay

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Not living close to any family, I work  to keep everyone connected by capturing my kids’ moments – big and small – as a video on my phone.

All of our big firsts: the first day of school, the first loose tooth, and the first pirouette are few and far between. But it’s the times in between, the regular Thursdays or Sunday afternoons that I struggle with something to share. I mean snack time at our house isn’t exactly movie premiere content, unless you count that one time with the dog and a really slippery mess and I wasn’t exactly in the mindset to record a video for that one. And I definitely don’t have the time or the SKILL to create a video worth sending, but that doesn’t mean my family wants to wait until I’m inspired either.

image

Not exactly a scene worth turning into a video with OneDay.

Thanks to a new easy video app, I have a beautiful way to package a sweet holiday message or even just a “Hi Grandma” surprise without any thinking or editing required. The OneDay app is an Instant Movie Maker that helps parents create videos of their children like a pro in seconds with fun, unique and holiday themes with curated, thought provoking, fun story sets.

In just a few simple steps, I had a beautiful Valentine’s Day video that not only did the kids and I enjoyed making together, but made Gigi (grandma) feel like she was with us, even though she was hundreds of miles away.

It only took three easy steps:

  1. You open the app and pick a question from a wide selection of fun story sets like Valentine’s Day,  Merry Christmas and many more.
  2. Next you record your children’s answers with a tap of your record button (don’t worry, it’s created to start and stop with ease (and bathroom breaks.)
  3. Then the app automatically stitches the recorded videos together by adding music to make quality, priceless movies to share on Facebook, Twitter, texting and YouTube with family and friends.

OneDay-Logo
Best of all, this app is FREE and available on Google Play and iTunes and totally worth some space on your smartphone or tablet.

Do you have just five minutes to create a beautiful video to capture a special moment for you or your loved ones?

Make their day with OneDay.

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! 

 

GoGo squeeZ Valentines Thanks for Being Awesomesauce

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Anytime of the year is a good time for Gogo squeeZ, but it’s even sweeter at Valentine’s Day! As an ambassador for GoGo squeeZ, we’re excited to share this cute idea for a quick and free printable Thanks for Being Applesauce that’s easy for valentines class treats or even party favors. 

I admit one of my favorite things about my kids going to school are the holiday parties. I just love those cute little foodie treats for the class parties, but unfortunately, all that sugar is no good for them (or for me).

Gogosqueez Valentines
 
That’s why I came up with this cute printable to be used with pouches of healthy GoGo squeeZ for a Valentine that is quick, easy and that your children will LOVE!
 
 
“Thanks for being awesomesauce!” FREE PRINTABLE (click here to download the PDF)
 
 
We love GoGo squeeZ around here, so I’m constantly coming up with new and fun ways to use it! From pancakes, muffins and Valentine’s treats, they make the perfect compliment to healthy snacking that’s convenient, delicious and full of nutrition! With 11 different flavors in all, GoGo squeeZ is the natural, no gluten, no dairy, no nuts, no mess way to get what you need, when you need it with just a squeez!
 

Just check out some of the fun things that we’ve used GoGo squeeZ for around here.


 

 
This downloadable prints six per page and could be printed on sticker paper or card stock with a hole punch affixed with ribbon tied around the top.  There’s also a line for your child’s name. I’ve used these for playdate treats as well as birthday party favors that doesn’t cost much time or money. 
 
 
I hope you think these are awesomesauce as well! 
 

 

I Want Some More Please: 4 Super Soups to Satisfy and Minimize

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Food Fridays:

I have a confession. 

I’m slightly obsessed with soup. I mean really. 

Getting the soup monkey off my back with Corn Chowder at East Hampton Sandwich Co. 

While some women will go in the middle of the night for a preggo food fit, I’ll drive hours away to score the perfect bowl of soup. And compound that with my pregnancy there’s nothing stopping a good soup stop. At my OB/GYNO, there was this little cafe called Alonti and they served the most amazing “Italian Wedding Soup.” While not a traditional recipe, but one with chicken, cream and wonderful goodness. So much so, that when I was pregnant with my second, it continued to be a part of my routine: first go to the appointment and then followup up with a big cup of the soup. 

And then one day, I went and it was gone. Closed down. Finito. (Good for my waistline, bad for my craving.)

So I went to the internet to scour for the recipe, but I quickly discovered this was going to be like trying to find the formula for Coca-Cola. I did get close with the photo below from a blog called “Cookinginflipflops.com,” but unfortunately, the website doesn’t work anymore. I was able to find a photo and filed it on Pinterest in hopes to at least remember what it tasted like and maybe one day get a recipe. 

Oh woe is me as tears of chicken broth come down my cheek. But then Pinterest came and brought me a kleenex and a recipe for it. While it was a close second, it still doesn’t cure the sickness that ailed me (but it’ll work in fix.)

While this photo is from cookinginflipflops.com, the site seems to have bit the dust, but has the most hits and photo links back to the soup. Coincidence? I think not. Alonti’s not sharing.
While that soup will continue to be on my list of must-find must-haves, there’s another “Italian” soup that makes me happy, especially when it’s cold and gloomy (like the best day ever for soup): Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscano. With the ideal combination of greens, italian sausage, cream and spiciness, this soup is what makes their soup and salad lunch the best deal ever (for me, not them.) Again, through the magic of Pinterest, I also found a recipe for this stuff. Can’t wait to make it soon to see how close it is.
Unfortunately, just because soup is liquid doesn’t always make it lowfat. (Have you checked out the fat count for the Tomato Basil Soup at La Madeleine?  – don’t.) However, there are some soups that can help you do exactly that – lose weight. Which is particularly good when you’ve been eating either of the soups I’ve covered, you’ll need something to help you knock off that extra few pounds you’ll gain after bowl #10. 

And since it IS February, I’ve actually been divulging more HEALTHY soups.One of those you must look at is the Fat-Flush soup. It’s a whole diet plan, but even if you don’t care about the fat flush part, it is a great winter soup recipe!

Source: fatflush.com via Desiree on Pinterest

And I don’t think talk about lowfat soups without including one of the biggest soup fads, the Cabbage Soup Diet. Again, I’m a little hesistant to eat anything consistently for 1 week, no matter how good it is. But you have to admit, it’s a keeper. 


After making up gallons of soup like the Cabbage Soup, you’ll be eating on it for days. So I was uber excited to find the ideal accessory for a soup-obsessed fan like myself: The Lunch Pot by Black+Blum. 

It’s multifunctional and travel-handy with two bowls that come adjoined with its own little spoon. Also, if you  just want to use one of the bowls, it can fit inside each other. It’s looks kinda like something IKEA would make and it sure is conveneient and works really well. And like all their stuff at Black & Blum, everything looks as though it belongs in an art gallery. 

Of course, with all this talk about soup, I’d be remissed to not bring up my favorite spring event, Empty Bowls, a soup fundraiser in Dallas and Fort Worth for the local food banks. It’s a must go, so learn why here!

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.”)




Yank Those Yoga Pants: Get Fit Looks Fast and Cheap with Ellie {Special Discount}

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Want-it Wednesdays:

As a mom, it’s almost a requirement that if you don’t work in a “traditional” office, your “uniform” is yoga pants. Whether you actually got up to work out, have the best of intentions to go work out or just upgraded from the PJs you changed out of, workout wear is THE look of the SAHM (and apparently the seat of power in Dallas.) For me, at least these last two months of trying yoga, pilates and even pole dancing, I feel like I’ve been nothing but workout pants – and basically combinations of the same three outfits. 

Not me and not my pants. But it is the uniform! (Photo: The Chive.) 


But never fear, mamachallenge is ready to find the new way to look fabulous while looking fit. That’s why I was so excited when I found a new company that makes it easy to look good in your workout wear, cheaply and easily every month. 

A look at February’s selection. Each month it changes, so you don’t get bored!

Ellie mixes essential fashion-forward looks with high-tech performance activewear for the most stylish fitness experience you’ve ever had!

Basically, you take a quick quiz about your style and needs and then gives you personalized looks just for you. And for $50 bucks a month you can have 2 pieces of workout wear from the top brands sent to your doorstep with free shipping. (Can’t beat that, can you?) 


In case you aren’t the type to make a commitment, you can still purchase the items you like at price, but being a part of the VIP club really saves you money, especially when workout wear doesn’t come cheap!

So, if you’re going to wear them every day, why don’t you make life easier with a personalized package that is made to make you look great and is sent straight to you monthly at a great price.

If you use this link, you can get 20% off your first purchase when you click here or this banner!

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate of Ellie. 


Find Fido: New Technology to Find Your Pet 24/7

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Try-it Tuesdays: 
This week is set to be all about protecting the ones you love and today we’re talking about one of the most beloved members of your family, your pet. 

Meet our (other) baby, Birddie, pictured here in our family photo 2011. 

Our family pet is a black lab named Birddie. She has been with our family almost from the birth of our son in 2008. And like my other children, she also has a mind to go exploring – especially when our gate or front door gets left open, which unfortunately is more often than I wish. She has a tendency to get out so much that even my neighbors know her by name and bring her back to the house without even checking out her collar. And I can’t even remember how many times I’ve ran down the street to try to catch her. I won’t admit how many times she’s been out, but I decided it couldn’t  happen any more.  

Birddie meet Tagg.

This little thing is everything I had been looking for… Tagg—The Pet Tracker is an advanced pet tracking system equipped with GPS and wireless capabilities that enables pets to stay in touch with their owners.  The Tagg tracker is designed for dogs and cats over 10 lbs. and is a small, lightweight and durable device that attaches securely to an existing collar.  
Built to withstand all the running, digging and jumping of a pet’s busy day, the tracker is meant to be worn at all times, even while swimming.  The long-lasting battery can last up to 30 days, but actual battery life will vary based on usage patterns. And best of all you can track your pet from your IPhone! I know where my pet is at all times and what she’s doing. And if she gets out of the “home zone” the program alerts you that your pet is out, as well as low battery and other alerts. (The only thing I can even say negative about this product is its battery life,which could stand to last a little longer, so make sure you follow the instructions in hope to maintain its maximum longevity.) 
While the cost is around $100 for the Tagg tracker, it costs around $8 per month to maintain GPS services with Verizon (you don’t need another phone plan, it is embeded with the program.) But that’s a small cost to pay to have the freedom of mind to know I can always find Birddie! 

Looking for something a little simplier to know where your pet is? 

Another way to keep your dog safe is with a LED collar and leash set from Dog-E-Glow. Dog-E-Glow collars and leashes illuminate their entire length and are seen up to 1,000 feet away for maximum visibility.
  • Collar and leash lights are visible when turned on in a steady or flashing mode
  • All products contain batteries that last up to 150 hours of use
  • ALL of the Dog-E-Glow products are:
    • Safe
    • Lightweight and highly durable
    • Weather resistant
    • Made of high quality nylon sewn around (100,000 Hour) LED bulbs
    • And did you see you can get your favorite college mascots or other fashionable designs?

Don’t you love what technology can do to keep your family safe? 



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.”)

“I Ate All Your Cookies!” and other things you wish you could tell your kids {Book Review}

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After all the fun of Valetine’s Day crafts, cupcakes and cuddles, there was the aftermath of children very “high” on sugar from cookies and candy running crazy around my house. While I love my children more than life itself, it is days like these that make me want to tell them the things I’m really thinking like:


If honesty is the best policy, then getting a copy of this book from your pediatrician or OB should be a requirement.

“I Ate All Your Cookies”  admits all the secret truths that parents are thinking in their head, but will  (probably) never share with their children. From blowing the cover on who Santa really is to revealing that the dog is not actually living on a farm chasing bunnies, this book shares hundreds of relatable thoughts for any parent who has ever considered letting their kids know they really feel.

I Ate All Your Cookies: (and Other Things You Wish You Could Tell Your Kids)
Quinn Conroy
Sourcebooks
Buy

Looking for other other books to read? Check out some of my recents reads here!

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.”)

Going Topless at My Wedding

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If you look at past posts, I’m all about talking about my kiddos – but I don’t always talk about my husband. I guess I feel that part of my life is personal, so while I blog about some pretty embarrassing things on mamachallenge.com, stories about our relationship has been off-limits…until now.

I have planned some pretty awesome events at some really cool places like AT&T Pebble Beach, The Academy Awards and the Miss USA Pageant. So when it came to planning my own wedding, I either wanted to go royal wedding or very intimate. Money helped me make the choice, so seven of our family/friends flew to Puerto Vallarta for a vacation/wedding. 


It was the perfect choice for us.  We did everything we ever wanted to do for our family;  from massages on the beach, golf by the ocean (with the alligators), tequila tour and of course, our very no-nonsense wedding ceremony (at least it was supposed to be.) 

 

Taking place around sunset on the beach, facing the ocean, barefoot in the sand and sunglasses on the face. With our wedding party standing behind us, the preacher started the vows to becoming man and wife. It was the incredible moment where you look at each other and realize the intensity of what you are about to do and how your life will change in just a few minutes. 


About 10 minutes into the ceremony…somewhere between “Will You…Yes,” I saw my betrowed (and the rest of our family) all turn their heads to something on the beach behind the preacher. 

O.M.G. 
A woman, who of course wasn’t so ugly [read: hot], dared to walk right by my wedding ceremony – TOPLESS! Yes, she did. Even the photographer turned his head AND took a photo, although it somehow didn’t end up in the wedding shots! 

(No, I don’t have a photo of this so don’t ask.)

I was a little upset to say the least at the time since the ceremony itself was only about 20 minutes long and she took up about a minute of it, but now, seven years later, it IS pretty funny. Only that would happen to me!

Humor is what made me fall in love with my husband, so this little moment was only fitting. While there are MANY days I’m not laughing, it’s moments like these that remind me that laughing is the best medicine to dealing with the hard challenges we face everyday (especially if it’s paired with bubbly!) 

On this Valentine’s Day, I hope you have great stories to remember and make your smile. I’d love to hear them if you want to share! 

Last-minute Love-Filled Heart-Shaped Pick-Up for Valentine’s

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Love Week, Day 3!

Continuing with our week devoted to all things LOVE, I thought I’d share a couple of places you can find some heart-shaped foods just in case you need to show some love at the last minute.

Famous for make-and-take pizza, get your own heart-shaped pizza and take it home to make for dinner for only $7. Best of all, $1 goes to the North Texas Food Bank.  
Show your love with a large 1-topping thin-crust pizza and Cinnapie for $15. (You can even get D-E-L-I-V-E-R-Y!)

With 50% delivery right now, you can still have one of their healthy heart bouquets sent to your loved one or bring one home for the family.  


Butter up your office and pick up some Dunkin’ Donuts’ heart-shaped and filled Cupid’s Choice and Cupid’s Cocoa donuts. (Really sweeten the deal and pick up coffee, too!) 

The original cupcakery offers its Raspberry Chocolate Chip cupcake only in February. The chocolate chip-studded Belgian dark chocolate cake is topped with luscious raspberry frosting and a pink heart decoration. 



For more Valentine’s Day fun, check out these posts:

Heart-Shaped Food Fun for V-Day

Healthy Valentine’s Day Treat with Easy S’Mores Flaxseed Cupcakes {Recipe}


Valentine’s Day Printable

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Love Week Continues! 

In addition to my normal tasks this week, I’m playing party planner for both kiddos Valentine’s Day parties. For the boy, we went with downloadable stickers that said “You Rock” on Pop Rocks and for my daughter, I had to create something a little bit more special. She’s changing schools, so I wanted to do something to say goodbye – even if she’s not even two yet. 

I already had some Play-doh in reserves (from last Valentine’s Day clearance) and then had to come up with something to pair with it: 


While the artwork isn’t amazing, if you’d like to use it, I thought I’d share – just in time for Valentine’s Day. 
Get this Valentine’s Day downloable PDF here.

For more Valentine’s Day fun, check out these posts:

Heart-Shaped Food Fun for V-Day

Healthy Valentine’s Day Treat with Easy S’Mores Flaxseed Cupcakes {Recipe}


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