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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

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Mama Challenge’s Top Holiday Hot Toy List 2014

December 4, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 47 Comments

Affiliate links included. This is not a sponsored post, but a carefully curated list of the best toys for your kiddos for 2014!

MamaChallenge-Holiday-Hot-Toy-List

 


What to give, What to give…it’s a question only Santa has the real answer for.

Until now.

I’ve scoured the Earth (and the Internet) looking for the best toys for girls and boys of all ages to get for Christmas this year.

Six Months – 1 Year
Fisher-Price Little People Musical Preschool
There’s so much to do at The Little People Musical Preschool—and toddlers are the ones that make it happen! They can make ‘bubble-bubble’ sounds come from the aquarium, make the dino roar, the hamster treadmill squeak, or send Eddie and Mia–and even the teacher figure down the slide. And when kids head for the rug and press the buttons, the whole place comes to life with lots more sounds, phrases and songs! More than 35 sounds, phrases and songs!
$25

Age 6– 12 months
Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Bounce, Stride and Ride Elephant
The Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Bounce Stride and Ride Elephant Toy is an ideal tool to help aid your child through the beginning stages of development through active play. This toy features vibrant colors that your child is certain to love looking at. The Fisher-Price elephant will allow your young one to bounce up and down, giving entertainment through physical movement. The toy will help steady baby’s steps. This musical elephant will also allow riding foot-to-floor. This elephant will make a wonderful friend for your young one to play with for hours at a time. The Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Bounce Stride and Ride Elephant Toy will play lively music for your child to listen to.
This toy also offers colorful lights plus fun sounds and phrases. With its cute wobbly bumblebee, playtime is even more fun.
$50-$54

Age 2
My Custom Thomas and Friends Engine with Book
Exclusive to the Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway website and catalog.
Is your little conductor energetic? Bashful? Or maybe he’s a little cheeky engine like Thomas? My Custom Engine gives him the opportunity to express his unique personality and join the world of Thomas with his very own customized engine and storybook— where he’s the featured hero! Choose your engine style, color and name and number
$35

Age 3+
Fisher-Price Thomas the Train – TrackMaster Avalanche Escape Set
Fast and powerful motorized engines that make for the most action-packed Thomas adventures of them all! In this play set watch as Thomas makes his way up a 30 degree incline before crossing an avalanche gap and racing down the other side. Redesigned TrackMaster engines feature enhanced power and performance, driving Thomas to greater speeds, taller heights and bigger adventures.
$64.99

Age 3-9
LeapFrog LeapPad3 Kids’ Learning Tablet
LeapPad3 is the high-performance, fun-packed Wi-Fi tablet that allows kids to learn and play in a way that’s just right for them. Access the most engaging learning library for kids’ tablets, with 1,000+ educator-approved games, apps, eBooks, videos and more. (Sold separately.)
With Wi-Fi and LeapSearch powered by Zui, children can explore kid-friendly web content that is 100% pre-screened and approved by learning experts. Features a lithium ion rechargeable battery, 4GB memory, parent controls, light-touch capacitive screen, two cameras and video recorders, and more.
$89.95

Age 3
The Happys
The Happy’s are an amazingly adorable and remarkably real line of interactive motorized plush pets! From doing tricks for Happy Treats to racing after their Chase & Play ball, The Happy’s really play with you! Just like real puppies and kittens, they love to spin, sit, pounce and play. Appealing to boys and girls, kids can even train The Happy’s to do more tricks with the interactive Happy Treats. The new, brightly colored Happy’s are in stores now and make the perfect gift for kids this holiday season!
$15-25

The Amazing Zhus
These mesmerizing mice have certainly cast their spell on kids of all ages and they’ve been performing their signature vanishing act on Walmart shelves everywhere. For their next trick, they’re going to be pulling some pretty amazing prizes out of their hats…holiday shopping sprees!
$25-$35

Age 3
Disney Frozen 2-in-1 Castle & Ice Palace Playset with Olaf
Inspired by the Disney film Frozen, this expandable 2-in-1, fashion doll play set opens to feature the beautiful manse in Arendelle that Anna calls home and the majestic ice palace Elsa resides in (dolls sold separately). Anna’s half of the play set is the perfect place for the loveable character to call home. Take the airy staircase upstairs where Anna can get ready at her vanity, complete with chair and perfume bottle. Elsa’s half features a massive room with her translucent blue “icy” throne, complete with a special spot to rest her scepter. Elsa stays beautiful with a vanity of her own, which doubles as a bed and has a beautiful printed blanket.
$119.99

Age 3
Bluebee Pals
Bluebee Pals is a huggable plush toy that sings, reads and answers phone calls. The advanced technology includes lip synchronization allowing the animal’s “mouth” to move while singing and reading your child’s favorite storybooks or learning apps. You can even surprise and entertain your family and friends when you use your Bluebee Pal as a wireless speaker phone! Bluebee Pals are available in 5 adorable characters: Leo the Lion, Lily the Lamb, Winston the Puppy, Riley the Zebra and Sammy the Bear. You can find Winston the Puppy at Toys ‘R Us this holiday season and the whole gang is available on www.bluebeepals.com.
$64.99

Age 3
Disney Princess Deluxe Talking Dolls
This Merida Deluxe Talking Doll Set will hit the bullseye with your Brave young princess. Twirl Merida’s hand to hear her recite lines from the movie. The set includes the three cubs plus her trusty bow and arrow and target. Characters available: Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Rapunzel (Tangled), Merida (Brave) and Tiana (Princess and The Frog).
$29.95

Age 3
Disney Store Star Wars Talking Action Figures
Lord Vader would like to have a word with you. The striking Sith has a Lightsaber in one hand and the other ready for a Force choke, so you may want to watch what you say around our fully articulated talking figure. Characters available: Boba Fett, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.
$29.95 (on sale for $20)

Age 4
Jada Toys Sofia and Walking Minimus R/C Vehicle
Explore the land with Disney’s Princess Sofia the First and her horse Minimus R/C. With you, Sofia and Minimus can do anything! Minimus’ wings flap as he walks
Fun audible dialog between Sophia and Minimus
$34.99

Age 4
Big Hero 6 Baymax Rocket Fist + Mask Combo
Put the power of Baymax in your hands with the Baymax Rocket Fist. Easy reloading and fun launching up to 10 feet in distance – and soft material on the fist makes it safe, and fun to play!
$19.99

Age 4
Big Hero 6 11″ Deluxe Flying Baymax with 4.5″ Hiro Action Figures
Large and in-charge, this massive Baymax is ready to fly into battle using all his great
weapons and features. Towering at 11” inches with a soaring 18-inch wingspan, the Deluxe Flying Baymax features 20 points of articulation, multiple lights, sounds and other fun features such as a launching rocket fist. Baymax comes with a 4.5” Hiro Hamada figure, which when attached to Baymax’s back unlocks additional flying sounds that vary.
$59.99

Age 5
Barbie Endless Curls Doll
Barbie® always delivers the very best in hair play and this year is no exception. With three different types of no-heat curling tools (two irons and a set of traditional rollers) girls can easily create countless styling possibilities, transforming Barbie® doll’s hair without heat or water
$24.99

Age 5
Deluxe Light Up Flutterbye Fairy
A WALMART ‘CHOSEN BY KIDS’ TOY! Flutterbye Fairies can really fly and now they even light up the sky! The Deluxe Light Up Flutterbye Fairy Doll magic is brighter than ever before with rainbow lights that shine as she soars. Just give your Flutterbye a gentle whirl to see rainbow lights and skirts that twirl! By pressing the button on her decorative base, she will magically lift off into fairy flight. Guide the flutterbye fairy toy rainbow movement as she floats just inches over the palm of your hand. If you raise your hand gently, she will fly higher. Lower your hand and she will follow your lead. Your Flutterbye Fairy’s beautiful dress is surrounded by a colorful aura of rainbow light. Delight in the Deluxe Light Up Flutterbye Fairy Doll magical glow as she glides around your room! Only Flutterbye Fairies can bring the magical experience of real fairy flight to life!
$39.97 (on sale for $25.00 online)

Age 5
Zoomer Dino
Control him if you can! Boomer is the incredible Zoomer Dino Toy that only you can tame! With real dinosaur movements, sounds and incredible dino-sense abilities, Dino can detect when you’re nearby and interacting with him. But watch out! Just like a real Dino he can get angry, spin around, chomp and roar! Using True Balance Technology, Boomer perfectly balances on two wheels as he roams freely, exploring your home. Use your hands or the included controller to tame his Dino nature and build your friendship. But, don’t make him mad by pulling his tail! He doesn’t like it! He might even let out dino-sized burps and farts! Become a true dino master and control him if you can with Zoomer Dino!
$79.88

Age 5-12
Orbeez Body Spa
Need a little ‘me’ time? Just imagine what it’s like to sit in a luxurious room chair full of the soothing softness of Orbeez! It’s an Orbeez fantasy come true! Ahh… sink into the calming comfort of the Orbeez Body Spa and recharge! The perfect holiday gift for young girls, the sophisticated Body Spa chair comes with 6,000 comforting Orbeez and a vibration device help her relax and melt the day away! Use the chair anytime, and add the Orbeez for a special spa touch!
$49.99

Age 6
Uncle Milton Jedi Telescope Star Wars Science Kit
Kids can tap into their mystical energies with the Jedi Telescope, a 2– in-1 telescope with a Star Wars image viewer. The Jedi Telescope provides kids the opportunity to see the Star Wars planets up close AND use the telescope to see real stars and planets in their own night sky! The Jedi Telescope operates like a real telescope and features built-images of Star Wars planets. The Jedi Telescope includes educational material about planets and spacecraft in Star Wars and the real world.
$29.99

Age 8
American Girl Isabelle “Girl of the Year”
Meet Isabelle, our Girl of the Year! She’s an inspired dancer who discovers her own way to shine. The 18″ Isabelle doll has sparkling hazel eyes that open and close, and long blond hair styled in double-twists for dance class. Your girl can even add a pop of color with special pink-tipped highlights that she can attach to Isabelle’s hair! Share the wonder of the holidays! From November 24, 2014 to December 18, 2014, for every American Girl doll purchased, American Girl will donate one 18-inch doll to Children’s Hospital Association.
$120

Age 8
Hot Wheels Street Hawk Remote Control Flying Car
Expand your little one’s toy collection with this Orange/Blue Hot Wheels Street Hawk Remote-Control Flying Car. Kids can live the thrill of seeing it take to the skies and fly with this versatile unit. The Hot Wheels remote-control car offers a cool combination of on-ground R/C performance, including proportional ground steering, and the aerial performance of a plane. It is durable and lightweight, allowing it to perform impressive aerial maneuvers and fly up to 150′ in the air. The two-in-one flying car toy promises enough action to keep your child excited and interested. Flying car toy can soar up to 150′ in the air!
$50

Age 8
SpruKits Halo The Master Chief Action Figure Model Kit, Level 2
SprüKits, the new poseable action figure model kits require NO no glue, scissors or paint. SprüKits are designed with the most advanced injection molding technology available, parts snap together without glue, paint or scissors, as is typically expected in a model kit. For beginners to those seeking an intense challenge, three different levels offer construction play for all skills with increased complexity and build time, delivering a larger figure with sharper details, increased articulation and poseability. From
Batman, Superman, and the Joker, in total there are 13 characters from DC Comics, Microsoft’s Halo® and TV Tokyo’s mega hit LBX franchise.
$19.99

Age 8
Make Your Case – Case Maker
Create and design two real cell phone cases or design one of the four ready-made cases to match every mood and outfit! How does it work? Simple. Push the plunger into the Case Maker and fill your mold with your chosen color. Once the mold has set, you can bling a selfie, decorate your pet or favorite musician’s picture or more. Compatible with iPod Touch 5, iPhone 4/4s, iPod Touch 5/5c/5s and Samsung S3/4. Also comes with gems, stickers and design sheets.
$24

Ages 6+ 
Skyalanders Trap Team Starter Pack for XboxOne, $54.99

Disney Infinity 2.0 Marvel Superheroes Starter Pack for PS4, $74.99

GameStop is THE PLACE to help holiday shoppers find and purchase their favorite gaming and tech items affordably and simply.
This season GameStop has deals for the gift-givers and gamers alike, from new consoles to your favorite tech items.

They also have deals on games of all kinds and for all systems for EVERYONE in the family. You can save as much as $30 on some titles! And you know what’s really hot this year? Games that feature interactive figures like Skylanders, Disney Infinity and Nintendo’s just released amiibo (uh-mee-boh). GameStop has deals on them all. And because we know that shoppers want to stretch their dollars – GameStop has a buyback program, a PowerUp Rewards credit card and a layaway option. They can match your buys with your budget and give you the best shopping experience.

You can check out the GameStop Holiday Hub for more information about deals and products.

And for the gamesters: 

Ages 10+
Jenga Giant Wood Stacking Game
The classic Jenga game, but MUCH BIGGER and can stack to over 3 feet high. Sturdy box for easy storage and transport.
$110

Ages 8+
Rummikub
The original fast-moving, family-fun tile game. Each player starts with 14 tiles displaying a number ranging from 1 to 13 in four colors. Tiles must be placed on the table in sets of either “Groups” or “Runs” Be the first player to eliminate all the tiles from your rack to win!
$17.99

Ages 4+
Barbecue Party Game
It’s Barbecue Party, the game that decides who will be grill master or dinner disaster! Choose your card to see what you get to put on the grill for dinner, but watch out! This temperamental grill may jump, causing all the food to fall off. The winner is the first player to get 3 items off the grill before the food takes a spill. 2 or more players.
$24.99

Ages 4+
Jumping Jack Game
Kids will jump for joy when they meet Jumping Jack, the world’s cutest bunny! Spin the spinner to see how many carrots you get to pick from Jack’s bunny hill, but don’t make him jump! If Jumping Jack jumps out of his hole on your turn, be sure to catch him. If he’s not caught, then whoever has the most carrots wins the game. 2-4 players.
$24.99

Ages 7+
Wordsearch
The race is on with Wordsearch! The game is played on a uniquely designed circular board that rotates as you search for new words. The first player to find the selected word marks it with colored tiles. With twists and turns that allow you to remove words found by your competitors, this fast paced game will have you searching for the win! Game includes 20 different word search puzzles and is good for years of fun.
$24.99

Ages 4+
Wordsearch Junior Game
Wordsearch Junior is the sequel to the popular Wordsearch! game. The Junior version teaches kids reading, spelling, matching and sportsmanship while providing hours of exciting fun! With three different learning levels, children as young as age 4 can join in the fun by matching patterns and can then move up to words with picture hints, while older children can play with word-only clues. Game includes 6 matching pattern puzzles, 6 picture hint puzzles and 6 word-only puzzles for years of learning and fun.
$24.99

Ages 3+
Elf on The Shelf Hide and Seek Game
The Elf on the Shelf is hidden but the music that you hear will help you find him. Someone hides Elf and then everyone tries to find him! The first player that does, gets to put a gift in their sleigh and the first player to get 3 gifts in their sleigh wins!
$14.99

All Ages
Springfree Trampoline
Considered the “World’s Safest Trampoline, Springfree’s one-of-a-kind design eliminates 90 percent of the impact areas on traditional trampolines by replacing the springs, frame and rigid enclosure with fiber-glass rods, a soft-edge, and flexible enclosure. Springfree was created by an engineer and father of three, Dr. Keith Alexander, following 14 years of injury prevention research. With 10 minutes of jumping on the trampoline equivalent to a 30 minute run, so it’s a fun way for the whole family to enjoy exercise. At Springfree they’ll take care of everything from delivery to installation and with three locations with Plano, Frisco and NOW Southlake, they’ll make Christmas a cinch!
$1,449

But where’ giving one away to one lucky person!

(Winner must live in the DFW delivery area for installation OR pick item up from one of three DFW SpringFree locations.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Easy Ways to Teach Kids to be Giving and Grateful

November 22, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 25 Comments

At this time of the year we are reminded to give thanks for the good things in our lives.  It’s also a great time to teach kids to be giving and grateful.

Teaching-Kids-to-be-Giving-and-Grateful

Here are a number of ideas this holiday as well as throughout the year to teach kids to give back. Many of these suggestions don’t require a lot of work, are fun and can help create an even stronger bond as a family unit.

Start the Conversation


Teaching the basics of giving with Saving and Giving Jars
The premise is simple: have two jars – one designated for saving and the other for giving. Depending on your child’s allowance or age, you can have them allocate a certain amount of money each time they put money in the jar. For example $1 means 90 cents for saving and then 10 cents for giving.

Santa Letters
Writing Santa letters makes a great way to talk about giving to kids less fortunate than your own. I have a great free printable for Santa letters you can print off and start the conversation today.

Make a Thankful Tree
With two kids under the age of 7, it seems like they wouldn’t be able to understand that not everyone lives in a home with a family and served three meals every day. But by asking them what things they are grateful for can be a great conversation starter. This tree is easy to put together and I’ve seen several versions of them – some are drawn on paper, some are painted with handprints, but for this one, we gather sticks from outdoors and talked about what we were thankful for. When I explained that some kids don’t have their favorite named toy or even a mama, they begin to ask questions and are primed for talking about the importance of giving back.

“I am Thankful…”at Galleria Dallas
“I AM THANKFUL FOR…” PRESENTED BY THE EURASIAN ASSOCIATION OF DFW
Level 2, Martin Lawrence Galleries
The exhibit displays the meaning of Thanksgiving among children of different cultures, with works grouped in different age categories: Under 5 years, 5-7 years, 8-10 years, 11-14 years, and 15-18 years.
Opens today – Dec. 7

http://www.galleriadallas.com

No Matter their Age, Kids Can Help to Give

Crafting for Good

Crafts are actually a great way to help children learn about giving. For instance, they can create a place mats or a centerpiece to put in with your Pantry Box for Metrocrest Services. On the website they provide a list of what they need and you can purchase them, put in the placemats and they will stock them in their pantry or during the holidays, they will pack them with the holiday food deliveries. If you prefer, you can actually attend a Family Night and for an hour the organization will do a family craft for 30 minutes and the family can stock the pantry with donated goods.

http://www.metrocrestservices.org

Collecting Everyday Goods

Toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste – these are all things we take for granted. But at the Arlington Life Shelter, individuals and families that don’t have anywhere to live are provided these basics necessities to help them sleep somewhere warm and receive a warm meal while getting the skills they needs to get back out there. They always post their current needs list online and on their billboard, so you can have the kids put together the box and  on your designated day, make the drop off.

http://arlingtonlifeshelter.org

Be on Their Level

Adopt an Angel and Toys for Tots
A tradition for many families and organizations at the holiday, you can get in the sprit of giving on a level kids can really understand since you are giving to kids in your child’s age range.  You can find Adopt an Angel trees in shopping centers throughout DFW, but some families are so busy they can’t get to the tree! So they’ve made it easy and you now can adopt a kid online, make your purchase and then drop of them off at a designated locations. And Toys for Tots, which FOX 4 is a sponsor of, is a phenomenal organization led by the US Marines.  The process gives your kids a  hands-on opportunity to buy the gifts they want for the age they want and then drop them off for distribution.

http://dfwangeltree.org

http://dfwtoysfortots.org

Host a Giving Party 
Instead of having guests to a holiday party or for your child’s  birthday  party, ask guests to bring gifts to give to a charity your child chooses. For instance, you could hold a PJ Party and ask guests to give blankets or teddy bears. Many organizations need both of those for patients at children’s hospitals like Children’s Health. Once year we asked for socks for teens and they were given to kids in the hospital so they had something fun to keep their feet warm and are fun!

Teaching Good Means Being Good

Be a Good Example of Giving 
Remember kids learn by watching so be a good example. December 2 is #Giving Tuesday, a global initiative to raise money for nonprofits #GivingTuesday is a global giving campaign.Your generous donations will not only allow us to continue fulfilling wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses and provide them an experience of a lifetime at Give Kids The World, but they will also count twice! An anonymous donor will match every donation made on #GivingTuesday, up to $20,000.

www.gktw.org/givingtuesday (This donation page will only be accessible on December 2nd and will be open for 24 hours. )

PicassoQuote

Chili Done Three Ways {Seen on TV}

November 4, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 3 Comments

Chili.

The word alone evokes huge divides in friends and family when you talk about what makes a good pot of chili.

Is it the meat?


Is it the amount of time it takes to cook?

Is it the secret ingredient that you add that makes a “bowl of red” go from ordinary to extraordinary?

I dunno either. I’ve eaten a lot of chili in my time. And some I’ve loved. Some I didn’t.

MamaChallenge-on-TV-Chili-Recipes

However, I’ve been able to classify chili into three categories:

  • Chili with beans
  • Chili without beans
  • And those “other” chilis with all kinds of other things like chicken, corn, sweet potatoes…you get the picture.

And while I can spend the rest of my life learning and understanding what makes an award-winning bowl of Terlingua chili, I like to start with the basics.

Most recipes for chili I’ve found come with these basic ingredients:

  • Meat
  • Onions
  • Tomatoes
  • Seasonings
  • Broth

From then on, it’s all up to you. But using just these few ingredients, considered the basic recipe for the first pot of chili made on the trail by cowboys up and down the cattle drives, it’s good without adding anything else. But you know you will. 

The Secret Recipe

In my research I’ve found all kinds of things people put in their chili to perfect their recipe. From peanut butter, cocoa, cup of coffee, rum and much more.

However, for me, it’s the beer that really adds another level of flavor to the chili and really helps tenderize the meat. Not to mention, it gives you a great excuse to buy a six pack, use one beer for your chili and then share the rest as you enjoy a big piping bowl of chili.

[Tweet “Chili 101: Turkey, Bison & Venison make great chili, but make sure to add a little bacon fat or oil to recipe. #Chili #CookingTip “]

Topping Off Your Chili

Another very personal point to cover about chili is how you dress it. The extras are often what gives chili that final touch of deliciousness. Cornbread, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, crackers, tortilla chips, Fritos corn chips – those are just the start of what I’ve seen grace the top of a bowl.  I don’t think you can really put a science on what is the best topping, but I can promise you this: if you come to my house, we got ’em all. And I suggest you do too since some people might not even eat their chili if there’s not cheese and a little something crunchy to go with it.

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

Easy 5-Ingredient Texas Chili {As seen on TV}

November 4, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

Easy-5-Ingredient-Texas-Chili

Print
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Easy 5 Ingredient Texas Chili


Print Recipe
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb. beef, chopped or ground
  • 2 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 small white onion, diced
  • 2 Tbsp. chili seasoning blend
  • Broth (2 cups of chicken broth OR 1 12 ounce of your favorite beer)
  • Optional: 2 (15 oz.) cans beans, drained (However, if you use beans, don’t call it Texas Chili.)

Instructions

  1. In a large stockpot, cook meat over medium-high heat until browned, stirring frequently.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the onion is cooked and softened.
  4. (At this point you could serve your chili and it would be great. Don’t though. You want it to be awesome, so let it simmer longer. Or better yet, cook it, cool it and eat it tomorrow. It will be awesome.)
  5. Serve warm with additional toppings if desired.

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

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


Print Recipe
Pin Recipe

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

Mama-Daddy Date Night on a Dime {Giveaways}

September 19, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 27 Comments

Research reveals that over 90% of couples who go out on dates have increased relationship satisfaction.

However, when your schedule seems packed full of kid functions and other obligations, it’s hard to make it a priority to spend time doing something you enjoy vs. something you “have to do.” However, when you’re married, “you have to work at it.”

MD


Taking right back to a “work concept,” organizational/business engenue Steven Covey referred to a marriage as an emotional bank account. If you don’t put in a deposit after awhile, you’ll be overdrawn – meaning: hurt, sad or much worse. unfortunately, in reality you don’t necessarily have to spend an arm and a leg to have fun, so we’ve got some great ideas for date night on a dime for moms and dads!

So make a point to make your relationship have value!

1. Put it on the calendar!
Just like doctor’s appointments and soccer practice, if it’s not on the calendar, it won’t happen!

2. Be creative with datenightnorthtexas.com.
What if you had loads of creative date ideas, plenty to talk about while on your date and even deals and discounts provided by local establishments to make it easier for you to get out of your rut and try something new – all in the palm of your hand?

3. Be frugal
Follow websites and blogs for contests and other fun ways to do things for free!

  • Recent newlywed Dallas Socials shares a long list of frugal fun dating ideas for couples!
  • Susie Drinks Dallas tells you the happy hours in town!
  • The Porch Dallas has a great list of less than 15 dates for less than $15.

DATE NIGHT IDEAS (AS SEEN ON WFAA GOOD MORNING TEXAS!) 

Traditional Dinner Night Out

  • Use online app Tango Tab to learn about specials at your favorite restaurants
  • Enjoy special night like El Chico’s Fajita Tuesdays or III Forks’ Wine Down Wednesdays {Giveaway} featuring $15 for wine tastings and appetizers
  • YMCA Parents Night Out

Movie Night

  • Groupon for a $6 movie ticket to a movies like Studio Movie Grill OR any other specials available {Giveaway}
  • Pay-What-You-Can Dallas Theatre for each show for $1! Next show is Rocky Horror Picture Show!
  • This Side Up! Family Center: This is a one-of-a-kind non-profit which provides a safe, family- friendly environment while giving parents all the tools, skills and quality activities they need to move from surviving to thriving! We have received numerous awards and recognition as a new community non-profit bringing much-needed focus on family strengthening!

Hear the Music, Taste the Love 

  • It’s fall festival time! Enjoy yourselves at any festival like the upcoming free Cultivate festival or any of the many festivals we have in the area for cheap admission and in many cases FREE!
  • Rather do something more low key? Go to a brewery or whiskey tour and enjoy a little education/tasting like at Deep Ellum Brewery in Dallas or Rahr & Sons Brewing Company {Giveaway} in FW where $10 gets a tour, three samplings includes a pint glass or there’s a few free tours with samples for purchase. Find comprehensive list of breweries and distilleries in DFW on Eater.com
  • Use Uber to safely get home and today all GMT watchers will get a FREE RIDE up to $20 credit with CODE: MAMACHALLENGE {Giveaway}

Uber

Get Your Workout On

  • Trade out with a friend for a few hours in the morning with a friend for a few hours of day fun!
  • Lululemon Yoga Classes, Klyde Warren Park or most workout places to try together like Pure Barre
  • Then brunch it cheap with a list of great deals from The Thrillist

Cultural

  • Shakespeare Dallas in the Park: Antony & Cleopatra (Fall 2014) – $10 admission to either Addison Circle Park or Samuell Grand Theatre –
  • Picnic at the park: bring your own food like this basket from The Grill on the Alley {Giveaway}
  • Dallas Theatre Center: Pay as you Go as low as a $1
  • Dallas Museum of Art as well as The Amon Carter Museum of American Art are both free (Giveaway)
  • Adventure Kids Playcare (also used with Groupon)

Make your own bucket list of places to eat and experience together!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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

3 Must-Do Tips to Get Back-to-School Ready {Giveaway}

August 16, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Summer’s been great, but  I’ll admit part of me is excited for school to start. However, before that first bell rings, the kids (and you) need to get a jump start on getting ready for the school year. Here’s three tips I shared on Fox Good Day Saturday that every family needs to know to get your year off to a great start! (And a giveaway, too!)

3 Tips

Practice Makes Perfect 


Practice and get back into a routine now until school starts with setting alarms for waking up and going to bed.

Here’s the adorable clock I got for my first-grader in efforts to making waking up fun (He loves to sleep!)

Get Organized

Get a way to organize your family!  I use with my smartphone and Google Calendars to organize all of our schedules. Or you can use an app like Cozi if you prefer! But some prefer it to be written down,  so make a central location where everyone can see the calendar.

Make a Family Book and keep it updated! This has all the things you need from menus, basic phone numbers, policies, baby sitter instructions, etc.

Follow Autumn Reo {mamachallenge.com}’s board Back to School on Pinterest.

Think Smarter (not harder) when it comes to Meals

Breakfast:

Try to make a few items in advance to make a healthy breakfast a cinch. I like muffins and pancakes because they freeze well and best of all you can “sneak” in extra nutrition like one of these Go Go squeeZ pouches give you almost a full serving of fruit and used instead of sugar.

Dallas News | myFOXdfw.com

 Lunch:

Make them the night before! And make them fun & healthy without spending much time! My kids LOVE ready-made meals like Lunchables, but by making your own, you can make them healthy and save money. You can make your own pizza crusts in advance and with items that you have make a great and healthy meal your kid will want to eat.
Also you’ll want to multitask – use squeeze pouches for ice packs and then they’ll have them to eat in advance. Make sure you check out these other great tips on lunches from my recent visit to The Broadcast!

GGS

 Click here to find out how! 

Dinner: 

A little planning will go a long way, but sometimes that doesn’t happen with all the other stuff! I use emeals and it’s a plan that emails you the meal plan, recipes and shopping list so it takes all the work in being advance. Recommended by Dave Ramsey, 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. Right now you can get 20% of any eMeals Meal Plan with the code SCHOOL!

Also make sure you think about items that can make one night and then use the leftovers later like roast for tacos or BBQ sandwiches. Or a rotisserie chicken makes the world go round! From chicken, pizza, stirfry, tortilla soup and more! (Sounds like another blog post!)

Back to School. Save 20% with code SCHOOL

Save 20% with code SCHOOL

Easy & Quick Back-to-School COOL Lunch Ideas

August 12, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Disclaimer: Affiliate links may be included. 

BTS

I’m sure you’ve all seen Pinterest and these incredible lunch bento boxes. They’re cute, but let’s face it, most parents don’t have the time for that. No matter how cute it is. However, there is some science to making food attractive – it’s all about the presentation, right? I shared my tips with the gals at The Broadcast. 


Must Haves for Fun Lunches

  • Muffin Tins: Make your own Bento boxes
  • Cookie Cutters: Easy way to make everything fun when it’s shaped!
  • Duct Tape: Make your own cool lunch box and then take it off for another one!
  • Note cards/jokes: Make them in advance or find premade ones on Pinterest to download and have ready

Meal Multitasking

  • Banana: Use them to write notes on the outside of the peel! Double-duty.
  • Bread: Use them for roll ups or “sushi” by using a rolling a pin to smash a slice of bread thin. Next add meat, cheese and carrots and pickles and then roll up. Using a knife you can cut them like sushi rolls.
  • Pretzels: Use stick pretzels like shish k-bobs and use your favorite meats, cheeses, etc.
  • Go Go squeeZ: Put the pouch in the freezer to use like an ice pack all day and then be ready to each at lunch!

My favorite timesaver is to MAKE YOUR KIDS HELP YOU! It’s a great time to be together, teach your kids about nutrition and get things done quicker!

And of course, lunch isn’t the only job that deserves a shortcut. Dinner can be crazy busy without planning, but I don’t even have the time for that! Thank goodness for eMeals.

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

Best Watermelon Recipes, Done Three Ways

July 24, 2014 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

That’s right, I bet you thought watermelon was just made to eat as a messy summer snack. Here’s three awesome watermelon recipes to make your summer even sweeter!

So to get us ready for cooking magic, I’ve a little music to get us in the mood. Remember this one? (If you can do the dance, give yourself two points.)

WatermelonLead

Now on with the show…here’s the clip from the segment with Chef Jackson and myself on Good Morning Texas showing a lot more than just watermelon recipes.


The most important step in cooking with watermelon is finding the right one. There’s nothing worse than a tough, underrippened or overrippened watermelon. So there’s a quick test.

1. It’s pretty. If it looks funny, it probably didn’t grow the right way and may have areas that aren’t ripe.
2. Its weight. A good watermelon is going to be full with water so therefore it should be heavy. If it’s not, then put it back.
2. Its dark spot. If there isn’t a nice dark brown spot where the watermelon rested on the ground, then you don’t want this watermelon.
3. Thump it. If it makes a thud or sound thick, then you don’t want it. You want it to sound hollow.

Now that we found the perfect watermelon, let’s get to it!

Grilled Watermelon

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Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Prosciutto


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Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 (1/2-inch-thick) watermelon rounds, quartered
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
  • 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • 2 teaspoons bottled balsamic glaze

Instructions

  1. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat.
  2. Brush both sides of each watermelon quarter with olive oil, and season with desired amount of salt and pepper. Cut prosciutto into thin strips.
  3. Grill watermelon quarters, without grill lid, 1 minute on each side or until grill marks appear.
  4. Transfer watermelon to a serving plate; top with blue cheese, prosciutto strips, and fresh basil.
  5. Drizzle watermelon with balsamic glaze.
  6. Serve immediately.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

Don't miss

Watermelongoatcheese

Watermelon Goat Cheese Bites

WatermelonAguaFresca

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Watermelon-Blue-Cheese

Grilled Watermelon with Blue Cheese and Proscuitto 

Of course, there’s a lot more to do than just eat watermelon and apparently crawl either. That’s right, there are festivals and events you can attend this weekend and next to pay homage to the humble, all-American watermelon.

Donald Johnson Seedless Watermelon Festival in Knox City
The festival began more than 30 years ago as a point of communal pride. By official decree of the Texas Legislature, Knox City was the Seedless Watermelon Capital of Texas, thanks to the crops of the late Donald Johnson.
Parade, Pageant, Arts & Crafts and more!

The Melon Dash 5K & Fun Run
http://www.runproject.org/race/melon-dash-5k

What’s your favorite way to enjoy watermelon? 

 

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Meet this Mama: Autumn Rose Reo

Get REAL Solutions for REAL Parents that Work! From recipes, things to do, parenting tips (and fails) and how to cope with everything in between, she'll share all the best ways to take on your (mama) challenges... http://www.mamachallenge.com/about/

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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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