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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

A Real Mama Challenge: My Baby Girl Turns 2 and Mama Won’t Be There

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Mama Mondays:

Today’s my little girl’s 2nd birthday…unfortunately, I won’t be there to wake her up in the morning since mama will be off early to WFAA Victory Park Studios to share a real “mama challenge” from Good Morning Texas. I actually have spent the weekend trying out the three Pinterest desserts that seem “too good to be true” are really good or really not true. 

And while the moment is bittersweet since I won’t get to see her beautiful eyes open on her special day or take her to her first day of school, at least I know that I’m doing my best to set an example that when life gives you an opportunity, you take it and are thankful for it. 

…And then as long as one of these desserts actually work out, we’ll share a slice together in honor of her special day when I pick her up from school. 


To make it worth it for both of us, if you are in front of a TV at 9 AM on ABC WFAA 8, I’d love for you to tune in to see how these three Texas-themed Pinterest recipes work! 

  • Margarita Pie
  • Pink Lemonade Pie
  • Apple Enchiladas

And of course, I’ll be these babies on Pinterest later, too (if they are good!) 


Introducing Dallas New GoGoSqueeZ Squad Leader, Me!

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Mama Mondays:

I am so excited to start this week with a BIG announcement! 

Recently, I was named a member of GoGo squeeZ Squad for Dallas. I was already a huge fan of the products, but a couple of months ago at Blissdom 2013 I had a chance to get to know the brand and I love ’em! So now as a part of the team, I really couldn’t be more excited and proud to take on this role and help promote the fun, healthy, convenient and playful lifestyle that GGS is all about here in Dallas-Fort Worth! 

(Hey, I loved them so much I even included them in my Gourmet Pancakes segment on Good Morning Texas!) 

If you are mom who packs lunches or a fitness geek, you probably know exactly what GoGo squeeZ is. However, if you don’t, let me just fill you in: 
Happier Healthier families

 GoGo squeeZ is proud to be the leading squeezable, re-sealable, 100% fruit in a pouch. GoGo squeeZ’s products are crafted with high-quality natural ingredients to provide wholesome goodness for sipping, squeezing and enjoying, wherever life takes you.

 What Does it Mean to be a Member of the squeeZ squad

 The squeeZ squad is a team of passionate GoGo lovers that also love being out in their own community. Whether it’s a mom of 4, an adoring aunt, or a former TV producer, our team mission: get GoGo squeeZ to families at work and at play. From field trips to 5k Fun Runs, the squeeZ Squad does it all with a little GoGo. These amazing women (and men) are on the front lines spreading THE playful message.



To get to the core (tee-hee), I will be popping up around the area at events – small and large – to share a little GoGo squeeZ love with you, your family and friends. So if you have an event, activity, party or opportunity you think that is a good place for Go Go squeeZ sampling or gifting, please drop me an email to see if it’s a good match!


 Every Time You Squeeze, We Please! 

GoGo squeez has teamed up with Life is good® Playmakers, a non-profit that heals and strengthens kids whose lives have been deeply impacted by trauma. They work to ensure that all children grow-up feeling safe, loved and joyful. All you have to do is share this video and we’ll donate $1 to Life is good Playmakers!



See why I’m thrilled to be a part of the squad? 

I hope you’ll join me too in living life playfully with Go Go squeeZ!



Healthy Summer Crock Pot Recipes To Keep You Out of the Kitchen

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TV Tuesday:

 This morning I made a visit over to Dallas’ WFAA 8 Good Morning Texas to cook up some of our favorite take out recipes – done healthy! And best of all making them in the slow cooker, you aren’t slaving away in the hot kitchen! So bust out that crock pot and let’s get cookin’!

 Check out my healthy crock pot recipe redos for Carnitas Tacos, General Tso’s Chicken, and Chicken Parm!




I have lots more healthy slow cooker recipes where those came from on my Pinterest!

Do you have any healthy recipes you’d like to share? I’d love to test them out! 



Mad Men Season 6 Finale

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Mad Men Moms Monday:

Oh wow. 

 The finale of Mad Men Season 6 definitely was one for the record books. 

 I couldn’t even think up some of the things that happened and if you haven’t seen it yet, then I almost don’t want to spoil it for you…ALMOST. 

 So round out our weekly recaps of the show, Shannon from MilkandCuddles.com and I couldn’t help but resist watching the last one together. (I’m glad we did because I needed someone to talk to after that!) 

 Also, in true Mad Men Moms fashion, we also celebrated with a cocktail. Shannon surprised me with a fun chocolate-flavored concotion with cream, black cherry vodka and Kahlua (think White Russian meets Yoohoo!) Little did we know how much the topic of chocolate would become a part of our evening’s adventure. 


What did you think? 

Holy Banana Grahams! IHOP Launches Jelly Donut, Tiramisu and Banana Graham Nut Pancakes for 55th Anniversary

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Food Fridays:

It’s no secret I have thing for pancakes.  

Enough so I went on TV and whipped up several different kinds of them including Apple Pie Pancakes using my daughter’s GoGo Squeez from her lunchbox. They were quick and delish, but unfortunately even with my quick shortcuts I still don’t always have the time or the want to make those pancakes that make your mouth water. That’s why I was so excited to hear about these three new pancakes from IHOP!

IHOP® restaurants will be marking its 55th year of bringing guests “everything they love about breakfast” with an exciting new trio of signature pancakes: Jelly Donut, Tiramisu and Banana Graham. These tasty new treats will be available in participating IHOP restaurants beginning June 3 for a limited time through July 21. IHOP officially marks its 55th anniversary on July 7.

Jelly Donut Pancakes – Fluffy buttermilk pancakes filled with layers of luscious raspberry jelly then topped with glaze, more raspberry jelly and powdered sugar.



Tiramisu Pancakes – Buttermilk pancakes and sweet mocha cream topped with a drizzle of chocolate, whipped topping and a dusting of cocoa powder.




Banana Graham Nut Pancakes – Sliced fresh bananas grilled inside buttermilk pancakes layered with marshmallow cream, graham cracker crumbs and crushed honey-roasted pecans then topped with cinnamon cream cheese.

These three new delicious flavors are available starting at $4.99. Guests can purchase these flavors as yummy treats alone or as part of an IHOP Combo, which can include two eggs, done the way they like them, optional choice of crispy bacon, pork sausage links or a grilled ham slice, along with IHOP restaurants’ signature golden hash browns.

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.IHOP.com.

Which one are you ready to bite into? 



Mad Men Moms: Say WHOA and Mojitos

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Mad Men Monday:

It’s another episode of Mad Men Moms and we definitely needed a drink (or two) to make it through this one! 

So get out some mint to mix up for the mojitos will be drinking tonight and get ready for a good one! (You’ll get the recipe over on milkandcuddles.com! )


And if you missed other episodes of Mad Men Moms, make sure you get the whole scoop: 

Raise Your Glass: ‘Mad Men’ Moms Debuts with Season 6 Recap

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Mad Men Monday:

Oh, Christina Hendricks! Last night was a biggie!

After the long wait and lots of cocktail making practice, Mad Men Season 6 took over the TV world last night with a two-hour bang. And it was worth the wait. 

Meet the new girls at Mad Men Moms!

Apparently I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. The twittersphere was blown up with #MadMen (the officially sponsored hashtag by AMC), and tons of people commenting on everything from what Betty was wearing, what was happening with Roger and of course, and who I mean, what Don was doing. 

If you missed the show or like me could talk about Don Draper all the time, I’m inviting you to the debut of the best show ever, ‘Mad Men Moms,’ to give your the lowdown on the opener. Joined by one of of best friends and blogger buddies, Shannon at milkandcuddles, we spill the beans on our thoughts on this episode and what we hope to see in the coming episodes! 




And that’s not all folks! 

It wouldn’t be a show about Mad Men if we didn’t have a drink and little bit of fun…so we’ve included that, too!

Dirty Don Draper Martini

2 oz gin
1 tbsp gin
2 tbsp olive juice (or more!)
3-4 olives (good olives too!)

Fill a mixer with all the ingredients including garnish. Cover and shake 3-4 times. Pour contents into a cold glass. Enjoy! (And then make another!)

And that lovely little Mad Men illustration? You can make one too like we did for Mad Men Moms! Check out how you can at milkandcuddles.com! 



Make sure you join us for all the fun each week when we recap the show on Google Hangouts!

Let’s Get Mad, Baby with Mad Men Cocktails {Recipes}

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Food Fridays:


This weekend is a BIG weekend for me.

I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time…the moment when my second love emerges after more than a year of silence and total abandonment…

Thank you to Urban Moms/Pinterest for this one of the dashing Don Draper. 


It’s when Jon Hamm…I mean Don Draper and the whole Mad Men cast come back to my television on Sundays and take me back to a time when drinking at the office was the norm, big hair was all the rage and the gal with the boobs in the office was the hottie. (I could have been so cool back then, maybe.)

Anyhow, season 6 of Mad Men returns to AMC this weekend for a two-hour opener on Sunday. I’m a little sad since after season 7 this show will come to a close, but for now I relish the time I have left to bask at Jon Hamm…(can you tell I have a small obsession with Jon Hamm? Check out my Pinterest for a nice little place I go when I need to put a smile on my face.)

And of course, what goes better with viewing a show that spends a lot of time drinking than to raise a glass of spirits. Last month when Downton Abbey concluded the season my friend and I enjoyed one “upstairs” drink with a little bubbly and one “downstairs” drink with a half/half British beer combo. It was so much fun to get a little into character, so I would be remiss not to toast to MM6 with a cocktail in hand.

Pink Squirrel 

Thankfully, AMC has made sure everyone can enjoy the whole show with recipes for several drinks from the times. So let’s celebrate with a few of my favorite sexy cocktails I found and will be sipping on Sunday.

Did I mention that these have like two ingredients too, so you can’t mess than up? Or you could just get a bottle and do it like the rest of the guys did. (But that wouldn’t be as fun, right?)

{Since these recipes aren’t mine, click on your drink to get to the recipe and you can go to the website for many, many more.}

Sloe Gin Fizz


Dirty Martini


Let’s Get Mad with Mad Men this Sunday!


Healthy Apple Pie Pancakes with Go Go squeeZ

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Hopefully today you’ve found me because you saw me on Good Morning Texas on WFAA 8 Dallas. If you came to me because you always visit here, then welcome back for this Me Monday!

On mamachallenge.com, I like to find solutions to the challenges that moms face everyday that are healthy, inexpensive, easy and fun.  

ApplePiePancakes Go Go SqueeZ

One that’s near and dear to me is: breakfast! I love breakfast but with two kids I don’t have the patience, time or the money to spend going out for a two-hour brunch experience. 


 
Of course, one of everyone’s favorite breakfast items is pancakes – but nowadays these aren’t your grandma’s pancakes. These babies are all different flavors and toppings.
 
So inspired by the pie trend, today we are going to Apple Pie Pancakes with Cinnamon Butter that will taste like you’ve spent hours cooking them up, but actually took about 10 minutes to put them together!

Apple Pie Pancakes
 
1 envelope pancake mix 
1 c. water
1 c applesauce (I use 1-2 packages of Gogo squeez)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ nutmeg

Stir together the ingredients and cook.

Heat your griddle or pan to 375 degrees.  (To test griddle, sprinkle with a few drops of water.  If bubbles jump around, heat is just right.)  Grease griddle with butter or cooking spray.  For each pancake, use slightly less than 1/4 cup batter.Cook pancakes until bubbly on top and dry around the edges.  Turn to cook other sides until golden brown.

Apple Topping

 
1-2 bags of kids apples – the browner the better/peeled or unpeeled
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons corn starch
¼ c. water
 

In a large bowl mix together chopped apples with all dry ingredients.Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add apples, stirring frequently. When a sauce starts to form (about 3 minutes) add some water, about 1/4 cup at a time until you have the amount and consistency of sauce desired. Cook for about 10 minutes. Serve warm.


Cinnamon Butter
1/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 tablespoons good honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
 
Combine everything in a bowl and whip with an electric mixer until smooth. Enjoy!

Looking for more delicious food ideas? Then follow me on Twitter and Pinterest.

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