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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

COPYCAT Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

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Nothing is better than Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream. And we have a copycat recipe that tastes just like Blue Bell at home and tips to for making the best ice cream. 

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There’s nothing more Texan than  a big bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream straight from Brenham’s Blue Bell Creameries in the middle of July. However, you often hear when someone moves up north to one of the Yankee states, the sweet taste of BB is no where to be found (and everything fails in comparison.) 

Bluebell-Copycat-Homemade-Vanilla-Ice-Cream-Recipe


So in times like these (or during a little shortage catastrophe), I’ve worked to create the best version I could of the real thing using a simple and easy ice cream maker.  Don’t believe me that it’s possible?

Make it yourself, take a bite and tell me I’m wrong. (Really, I want you too!) 

Never made homemade ice cream before? Think it takes tons of work? You’re wrong! You just need a few tips and an ice cream maker. Of course, there’s tons of ice cream makers out there – you just need to find the right one for you! Check out my review of several on Good Morning Texas.

While I created my recipe for Bluebell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream with the old school Hamilton ice maker (no switch is even on this baby), there are other ways to create a creamy treat – even some without using dairy! Take a look at these gadgets – especially the fun ones that have you take an active roll is making you scream for your ice cream.

Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker

Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker

Dessert Bullet

T-Fall Ice Cream Maker

F-Fal Ice Cream Maker

Ya Labs Ice Cream Maker Ball

Yay Labs! Ice Cream Ball

Chill Factor Ice Cream MakerChill Factor Ice Cream Maker

Bluebell-Homemade-Vanilla-Ice-Cream-MamaChallenge

 

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COPYCAT Bluebell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews
Print Recipe

Description

Recipe created by Autumn Reo of MamaChallenge.com.

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs yolks
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 24 oz. heavy cream
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • Whole Milk (about 2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Cream eggs and sugar.
  2. Then add cream and condensed milk and vanilla.
  3. Beat until well blended.
  4. Pour into ice cream churn.
  5. Add milk until to fill line.
  6. Insert dasher.
  7. Pack cooler with layer of ice, then rock salt, and continue to repeat until full.
  8. It’s done when it won’t churn anymore.

Ready to dress up that ice cream? We have the best ice cream sodas! 

Best Ice Cream Sodas Ever

Holiday Gifts to Give: Hot Toys 2018

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So many toys, so little time! Here’s your annual holiday helper – THE Holiday Hot Toys for your kids this Christmas. And we’re playing Santa too – with some big giveaways! 

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there..”

Hey, don’t kid yourself, even Santa had help even if this poem doesn’t give any credit to the elves. 


So consider us your elves and we aren’t looking for any credit either. Here’s your list of hot holiday toys – just in time for you to get them under tree, along with those stockings stuffed. But here at mamachallenge.com have taken it one step further…these gifts are made to make kids play and may even remind you of toys you had growing up. We’ve done some work to find toys that are fun and educate kids while also making them use their imagination. Most of these you won’t see an device needed to make them work or a screen to keep them on for hours. These toys are meant for play, activity, thinking and good ole family time. 

Hot Holiday Toy List

Treemendous Ornament Activity

TreeMendous Ornament, Treemendous fun! This patent pending design to let children ages 6 and up to personalize their own ornament. Treemendous is a perfect present because it is an ideal activity to do with grandparents, friends, siblings and parents alike. Boys and Girls alike will embrace the holidays season by making their very own handmade ornament. Sure, to become a family treasure for years to come.

Tree2

 

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The Sleepover Party Game

Endless Games sleepover party game break out the sleeping bags and leave the lights on. It’s a sleepover party and wear staying up late! Spin the spinner and attempt to complete one of over 200 act It, work it, or party challenges. Be the human mirror and copy everything another player does! Take part in the “Funny sound competition” and make the most ridiculous noise you can!! Try to lick your own elbow!!! Being silly and having fun is The name of the game at this sleepover, so be prepared to sing, laugh, perform, and make a general fool of yourself! Don’t fall asleep early, or you’ll miss out on earning the most cards and staying up all night! 

Sleepover - Hot Toys

Road Trip the Family Game

It’s a family game that is really for the whole family! Roadtrip could be played in the car, but you can play it for any great game night. This is a well-made game that has won all the toy awards including the Sterling Fun Award Winner, The Toy Man Seal of Approval, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and many more.

Roadtrip - Hot Toy

Tiki Topple

Welcome to Tiki Island, home to nine colorful carvings all competing to be the top Polynesian Idol! In this fast-paced strategy game, try to maneuver your secret tikis to the top of the line by playing the right combination of action cards. Use a Tiki Up card to move a tiki ahead in line. Tiki Topple sends opponents’ tikis tumbling to the back of the pack. But watch out for the sneaky Tiki Toast cards, which knock your tikis off the board! Score the most points and call yourself the Tiki Master.For 2 – 4 players, ages 10 and up.Contents: 55 cards, 9 custom tiki pieces, 4 playing pawns, 1 game board and instructions.

TikiTopple - Hot toy

Baby’s First

One of America’s oldest doll companies and have delighted parents and children for over 102 years with our wonderful dolls. Baby’s First Kisses can be easily cleaned and always ready for play – they are Hypoallergenic and MACHINE WASHABLE! The adorable baby doll kisses pleasantly when her soft tummy is squeezed. Helps children develop large motor skills, while stimulating their senses of sight, sound and touch. Great size for babies 1+, toddlers – easy to hold, carry, squeeze and love. Remove the Kisses mechanism from the smart “sanity” pocket and she is ready for the washing machine!

Babys First

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Kenya Doll

Kenya Dolls is the oldest and most loved ethnic brand in the toy market celebrating 25 years of growing up proud. Kenya’s roots trace back to Dallas, there are several versions to love, but the stand out of this toy is her authentic hair. Whether curly and short, long and natural, or braided and beaded, Kenya truly represents every black girl’s stylish locks.

Kenya

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Insect Lore Deluxe Butterfly Garden Gift Set with Live Cup of Caterpillars Habitat

Watching the butterfly life cycle up close is more fun than ever with the Butterfly Garden Gift Set with live cup of caterpillars. Exciting butterfly-themed bonus items make this butterfly-raising kit the perfect gift! feed and observe your very own beautiful butterflies for a few days before releasing them into the wild! the entire transformation takes about three weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity in your area. There is no need to feed your caterpillars; all the nutritious food they require to become beautiful butterflies is included in their cozy cup.

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Project MC Perfume Maker

Project Mc2 is a team of super-smart and seriously cool girls who use their love of science and their spy skills as they go on missions for secret organization, NOV8 (that’s “innovate”!). They’re real girls with real skills ready to take on anything. Watch new episodes of the Project Mc2 original series, only on Netflix!
Adrienne Attoms’ next mission is to use her cosmetic chemistry skills to formulate the perfect look for saving the world. Formulate your own perfumes with Project Mc2 Perfume Maker. Now you can perform this same cool S.T.E.A.M. experiment at home using just household items again and again. Pretty brilliant!

Perfume - Hot Toys

Shifu Orboot

An award-winning educational toy, Orboot is a no-borders globe that connects with the fun and interactive Orboot app. Explore the world with 400+ highlights and 1000+ cool facts across 6 categories – cultures, cuisines, monuments, inventions, animals and maps (national and state boundaries of countries). A STEM toy that sparks the imagination and creativity, Orboot encourages the little ones to explore and discover on their own. It builds knowledge as well as develops linguistic and cognitive abilities in the process.

Shifu Orboot

LEGO® Creator 3-in-1 Treehouse

Enjoy imaginative pirate adventures with this LEGO® Creator 3-in-1 Treehouse Treasures set, featuring a 3-level pirate ship treehouse with a ship deck, ship’s wheel, treasure chest hideaway function, bowsprit with flag and teddy bear, crow’s nest, tire swing and an upper-level den. Pirate accessories include a hat, telescope and 2 swords. This 3in1 model rebuilds into a Pirate Ship or a Skull Cave for more pirating fun, and includes 2 minifigures rigged out for pirate adventures, plus a scary spider figure.

Lego Hot Toyrs

BrickHeadz Luke Skywalker™ and Yoda™

These LEGO® BrickHeadz™ Luke Skywalker™ & Yoda™ construction characters are fun to build using LEGO bricks that recreate all their iconic details, including Luke’s Lightsaber™ and Yoda’s pointy ears and cane. The master and apprentice each stand on a buildable collector’s baseplate for easy display in your home, office or any planet you like. Buildable Luke Skywalker™ & Yoda™ LEGO® BrickHeadz™ construction characters feature decorated eyes and authentic details from the original blockbuster Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back movie, including Luke’s Lightsaber™ and Yoda’s pointy ears and cane.

Lego Hot Toys

Snap Circuits Bric Structures

Combine SNAP CIRCUITS with ordinary building bricks and make endless combinations of construction and circuitry. With Bric-2-Snap technology, kids can wire up their brick builds with SNAP CIRCUITS lights, sounds, moving parts and 3-D circuits to invent almost anything and make it go! Instead of just building a structure, learn how to build the circuit that makes the lights in a skyscraper illuminate or that makes the gears on a drawbridge move! There’s no limit to what kids can create.

Bric Hot Toys

HEXBUG BattleBots Arena Pro

It’s robot fighting time! Modeled after television’s hit series BattleBots, comes the HEXBUG BattleBots Arena Pro. With over 100 possible configurations, BattleBots fans can experience the excitement that comes with engineering your very own fighting robot. This set includes one arena and two customizable Build Your Own BattleBots.

Hot Toys

Tudor Games Deluxe Electric Football Game

Set your plays and watch your teams do battle on this 32″ x 16″ SpeedTurf metal vibrating NFL gridiron with the Deluxe Electric Football Game! The PlayAction remote control places the fate of your offense in the palm of your hand, with its on-board variable speed control. Both offensive and defensive players are outfitted with all new Invisibase Cleat technology, sending your players where you want them to go. The all new PlayAction remote control places the fate of your offense in the palm of your hand, with its on-board variable speed control. Offense? Set! Defense? Set! Slow down the play with your PlayAction remote to see your blockers in action as the play develops. Got a man wide open downfield? Gaping hole in the defensive line? Shift into high speed and accelerate your team to victory!

Deluxe Electric Football

Dynacraft Realtree 24V UTV

Your little one will love zipping around the neighborhood on this Dynacraft Realtree 24 V UTV, which features working headlights and suspension springs for a smooth ride. The dual seats make it easy to bring a friend along, and a built-in rack offers convenient storage space. A working steering wheel and foot pedal allow realistic use, and an MP3 input makes it easy to enjoy songs and music during the ride.

 

Realtree UTV Hot Toy

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Rock it: Best Tips for Getting Back to School

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Got back to school under your belt? Now’s the time to get the rest of your school year rollin’ with these tips for getting back to school!

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Back to school.

That time of the year when you’re just about to start enjoying the summer time and then you look at the calendar and see that “Meet the Teacher” is next week.


Back=to=School-JCP

That time of the year when you’re out to scavenge through all your kids clothes to see how many more days you can make that one pair of shoes work before your kid’s toe actually peeks out.

That time of the year when you have to all have to get back in a routine of the morning marathon to get to school before the first bell rings. 

So we’ve put together the Best Tips for Getting Back to School to help you make the rest of the year rock and roll! 

You Go First

This may seem to contradict everything, but before you the fire drill started, make time for you! Yes, get yourself up, get dressed, get your coffee and then press go. If you are hitting the floor feeling like you’ve already lost the game, you will. Start off the day ready to take it on full steam and the rest of the family will take that on, too. 

coffee

Make Time for Meals

Don’t skip breakfast! 

Without a little healthy fuel to get things going, you’re setting up their day (and yours) for full-on suckage. So make sure they get something in their belly – even if it’s eaten in the car or walking to class. 

Here are several of our go-to recipe favorites for back to school breakfast. 

  • Use your slow cooker to create breakfast the night before. Oatmeal, egg casseroles, and even french toast are A-MAZING in the slow cooker. (Actually, the slow cooker is a super friend for every meal!) 
  • Use Sundays to make your breakfasts and then freeze them for the whole week including pancakes, muffins, and even donuts! 
  • For those even harder mornings, have a few items around that are you’re go-tos. Go for easy items that you can grab and go or even leave in your car (great for snack times later.)  
    • Jimmy Dean Egg Scramblers make morning meal time easy – all the ingredients are together, so you just cook and go. 
    • GoGo SqueeZ applesauce and yogurtZ that don’t have to be refrigerated, so you can keep them in your purse for those last-minute surprises so you always have something healthy handy.

Added Nutrition: Banana Bread made with yogurt or applesauce (Check out this Banana Bread recipe)

Plan for lunches and snacks in advance!

Don’t ever wait until the last minute to fill up the lunch box.

  • I have the kids immediately after school make/ their meal for tomorrow so we don’t forget for the next day.  When you’re done, I check it to ensure a healthy lunch box.
  • When it comes to snacks after school, have healthy ones stocked up so the kids make good choices. Preparing healthy snack stations in the fridge, in the pantry, or even your car will help keep the kids sustained until dinner. (A lunch/snack station is a handy way to put it all together and teach them how to do it – with a little guidance!) 

Prep and Plan

Prep the Wardrobe

  • Start off the week by setting out clothing or working with your child to pick outfits for the whole week. Place them in an organizer like this to make it easy to pull out each day. They not only learn responsibility, but also team work with you. Plus it will save you so much wasted time during the week with “what do I wear mom?” 

Closet Organizer

  • Since kids need to change sizes almost every three months, what’s the need to stock up the closet more than one season in advance. Buy what they need for that time and alternate. Also, save lots of dollars by sharing with other families who have kids only a year older than them to pass on their clothes with they outgrow them and always make use of consignment events like Just Between Friends Fort Worth.

Plan your work, work your plan

I cannot recommend to you more the importance of a good planner to organize your family’s schedule. Whether it’s paper or electronic, having a planner that works for mom and the rest of the family is crucial. This also includes organizing all the important info you need in one place like a family binder to keep your information at the tip of the finger. 

  • I like online organization including Google Calendars (I have 12) plus always having a notepad handy when I need to make notes and keep thoughts organized. 
  • For the paper people, there are so many options available. This planner has people buying it left and right! And planning doesn’t just mean putting in the appointments. You’ll want to meal plan, I suggest this Meal Planner from Carrie Elle with perforated lists, meal plans and much more! 

Get it Together

Homework It

Homework isn’t fun for anyone, so streamline the fights and keep it focused with a Homework Station. This will make this less-than-fun activity easier for all of you. Outline expectations, have an area set up with pens, paper, sharpener, light, and with no distractions. If the kids have to be on the computer, make sure there’s no way to have them get on other activities like YouTube or another social media. And remember, if they’re old enough, take away the phone.   

Then here’s the biggie: sign what you need to, check the homework, and then pack up the backpack for in the morning. This way all you have to do is grab and go! 

Time it Out

Setting up a routine and assignment chores isn’t just for you – it will make it easier for them know when and what things are going to happen. Using this template, you can set up the rules and stick to them for bedtimes, wake up times, and chores!

Click here to download your customizable template.

However, the two biggest things you need to remember to really be a rockstar parent: 

  1. Say no – there’s no need to try to do everything, everywhere and all the time!
  2. Sundays are your friends for making the other 6 days rock and roll!

Top 10 Free Things to Do in DFW

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Whether you’re watching your budget or just tired of watching the TV, you don’t have to look long or hard for things to in North Texas. Here are some of our favorite Top 10 Free Things to Do in DFW.

Trying to keep kids programmed all summer – isn’t just time consuming, but it can get expensive too. However, in the DFW Metroplex, there are so many things to do AND many things you can do for FREE. (Yep, one of my favorite words.) 

So the next time the kids say I’m bored (or maybe it’s just you looking for something new to do with your weekend) or you’re just looking to change it up a little bit, here’s a good place to get moving this summer (and many of these are open throughout the year.) 

Top 10 Free Things to Do in DFW


 

Kids Bowl Free – DFW

I’m all about getting the kids moving especially in the summer. With Kids Bowl Free – kids can get 2 free games of bowling all summer of the program from bowling centers across the country and many of them in DFW. All you have to do is get registered for free and they’ll send your tickets on Sundays for the whole week! 

KidsBowlFreeAfterShow from Darin Spindler on Vimeo.

DFW Airport Founder’s Plaza – Grapevine

When we went, there weren’t just families there, we found adults of all ages waiting to see the planes take off and come in from a great vantage point. Dedicated to the founders of DFW Airport in 1995, the plaza provides convenient parking, picnic tables, telescopes, historic information, a commemorative monument and a radio that broadcasts air traffic control communications from the FAA tower. Bring a picnic and spend the afternoon watching airplanes.

LEGO Mini-Build – LEGO Store at Northpark Center – Dallas 

Who doesn’t love LEGOs? Once a month at the LEGO store at Dallas’ Northpark Center, you can participate in a free mini-build!  This event has limited space and time slots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to safety and build experience standards, builders must be between the ages of 6-14 to participate. The mini model must be completely built in store. In order to sign up, guests must have a registered LEGO® VIP email address. If you do not have one you can create one for free at shop.LEGO.com/VIP. The August mini-build is a cute little snail!  

CONCERTS 

Addison Summer Series – Addison 

Rockin’ the River – Fort Worth 

Legacy Hall – Plano 

Levitt Pavilion – Arlington

I’m a huge fan of outdoor concerts, enjoying the DFW sky under the stars (and in some cases under the stars) and listening to your favorite bands – and for free. From Addison’s Summer Series, Arlington’s Levitt Pavilion, Fort Worth’s Rockin’ the River and Legacy Hall in Plano (and more), you can almost find a concert every weekend. One of my favorites’ is Levitt Pavilion in Arlington. Downtown you’ll find a beautiful outdoor stage that accommodates more than 100,000 visitors for more than 50 concerts a year. 

MUSEUMS

Dallas Museum of Art – Dallas

Amon Carter Museum – Fort Worth

I love a good museum and in the summer when it’s not just hot or a good rainy day in the winter, there’s no better place to retreat than to immerse yourself in learning. Two of the best museums with free admission are the Dallas Museum of Art and the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth. You’ll find American art as well as free tours even for the kids. So don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy the art of some of their own outdoor programs throughout the summer, so head to their website for more on times and dates. 

Klyde Warren Park – Dallas

Right in the middle of Dallas, you’ll find a 5.2 acre deck park over the highway with tons to do all year long. Open anytime, you can check out the programming like this weekend’s STEM in the Park, from 9 am – 3:30 pm. 

Other activities you can do at Klyde Warren Park include: 

  • Performance Pavilion
  • Savor and Relish
  • Walking trails
  • Dog park
  • Children’s park
  • Games area

Fireworks – Lake Grapevine

Nothing can make anyone feel like a kid again than watching fireworks. And Grapevine does a free 10-minute show (with a downloadable music soundtrack) every Friday night at 9:30 pm as part of their SummerBlast program, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Viewing areas include Acorn Woods Park, the field next to Scott’s Landing Marina, Horseshoe Trails Park, Oak Grove Park (baseball, soccer and softball fields), Katie’s Woods Park, Lakeview Park and Rockledge Park for $5 a car. 

Other great free places to enjoy in DFW include: 

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Make Ahead Holiday Brunch Ideas

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Make Christmas memorable and don’t miss it making brunch when you can do it before! Here are our Make Ahead Holiday Brunch Ideas!

I love the feeling of waking up on Christmas Day with your loved ones and enjoying the fun of opening gifts in your PJs.

While you want the morning to be memorable, no one wants to get stuck in the kitchen creating the perfect Christmas breakfast.


So here’s a few tried and true make-ahead recipes I shared on Good Morning Texas that will make your any holiday morning easy, memorable and mouth-watering.

Make Ahead Holiday Brunch Ideas

Make Ahead Christmas Morning Casserole

Mini Spinach Quiches

Junior League of Arlington’s The Night Before Christmas Coffee Cake

Easy Mocha Punch

For more information about the Junior League of Arlington’s Holiday Magic, visit http://www.jlarlington.org. 

Back to School Breakfasts

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Take away the back to school blues with these easy breakfast recipes that are on the go and good for you!

School time makes my house absolute chaos. No matter how many processes and advance plans we put in place, the morning time looks a lot like marathon and no one is going to win. With all the craziness, I still want to try to get something down their throats and mine that’s healthy and tastes food. So here are a few best-sellers at our house that work for the whole family and with just a little time (very little), we can still manage to get to school with a few minutes to spare (well most the time!) 

Added Nutrition: Banana Bread made with yogurt or applesauce 

DairyMax Pumpkin Smoothie

Protein Packed Pumpkin Smoothie


Easy Eggs: Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles

Peanut Butter Granola

As featured on Fox Good Day Dallas, August 19. 2017

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Favorite Sunscreens and Bug Sprays to Protect Your Family

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School supplies may already be on the shelves, but our hottest temperatures are still yet to come! Protect your family with these must-haves for summer including our best bets for Sunscreens and Bug Sprays.

As featured on Good Morning Texas on 7/13/17.

Who made our list for the best, coolest and most multifunctional products to keep your family protected during these hot summer days? Take a look!

Favorite Sunscreens


How much sunscreen do you need?
You need to be putting about 1 ounce on per application (just for reference that’s around the size of a golf ball or shot glass.)

SUPER Sparkle Screen Water Resistant and Roll-on Glitter Sunscreen:
Made by two moms, this makes it fun to keep off the sun with sparkles and it’s also scented.
Find at glittertots.com and Walmart.

NO-AD Paraben Free Sunscreen Cream and Easy Glide-on Sticks:
It’s an oldie but a goodie that passes on the savings to you! Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, now paraben-free and in several easy-to-apply products, it’s called NO-AD because since 1962, the brand doesn’t buy ads so they can give the customer the most inexpensive “no ad price.”
Find at Walgreens and Walmart.

Babyganics Sunscreen Spray:
Coming from the Babyganics line of natural, no chemical ingredients, this mineral-based sunscreen spray is water resistant and free of PABA, phthalates, parabens and nano-particles.
Find it at Walgreens and Target.

Ocean Potion Cream and Clear Zinc Oxide Face Potion:
A beloved brand by those that love the beach, this brand has what you need to have fun in the sun plus its orange-creme fragrance called “the scent of sunshine” makes it feel like you have the sun all around you. The Clear Zinc Oxide Face Potion goes on clear, keeping your pores clear and your face protected with SPF 45.
Find it at Walgreens and Walmart.

Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard:
What’s good enough for the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks (the brand you’ll find in both teams’ home stadiums) is good enough to keep your team protected, too. This award-winning brand is formulated for extreme conditions with a barrier of protection and stays on during intense physical activity in and out of the water helping to keep it out of your eyes!
Find at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora.com, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Bull FrogLand Sport™With Breathable Sweat TECH™ Quik Gel® SPF 50:
This is the one you want when you’re moving because it’s made with a special polymer to letting your skin breathe while keeping you from sweating off your sunscreen to keep you protected plus it’s paraben free.
Find at Walgreens and Walmart.

How often should you apply sunscreen?
You need to apply 15 minutes before going out and then reapply every 1.5-2 hours!

Best Bug Sprays

Bug Spray

Bullfrog Mosquito Coast® Sunscreen Insect Repellent Continuous Spray SPF 30:
This is a combination sunscreen AND bug spray in one for the ultimate bottle you need when you head outdoors! It’s deet free, paraben free, PABA free, repels bugs for up to 8 hours, and lasts for 80 minutes in the sun AND comes in a spray!
Find at Walgreens and Walmart.

NATURAL BUG SPRAY RECIPE
Natural Bug Spray Recipe

Print

Natural Bug Spray

  • Author: Autumn Reo, mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Distilled water
  • 1 cup Witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
  • 3-4 TBSP dried herbs including peppermint, spearmint, citronella, lemongrass, lavender, etc. (use at least one mint.)
  • Optional: 4-5 cloves.)

Instructions

  1. Boil water and herbs (in any combination from the above.)
  2. Mix well, cover and let cool. (You must be patient!)
  3. Strain herbs out and mix water with witch hazel.
  4. Store in a spray bottle in a cool place.
  5. Use as needed.

Notes

  • Added bonus: it smells great and is very refreshing to the skin.

Other Helpful Tips

Now’s the time to stock up before back to school! Hats, bathing suits including those with rash guards to protect their skin, and sunglasses are already on sale like 50 percent off) and some at clearance prices! Just check out these looks we found!

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We have tons of giveaways happening right now to Academy Sports + Outdoors, Target, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Market Street! Go here to make sure you enter!

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Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak

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Love the idea of grilling, but think it’s too complicated? We’re sharing the basics you need to get your grill on with our Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak! 

Thank you to Market Street for helping all of us girls (and guys) get our grill on with this sponsored post. 

Isn’t it funny that so many mamas take on the world (literally) every day, but when it comes to grilling think it’s too hard or should be left to the guys? 

Just answer me this: Do you like the idea of biting into a juicy, sizzling steak? Do you like to entertain? Want to make a special meal for your special someone? Then you need to know how to grill a steak. 


Guide to Grilling a Steak

…But don’t worry, it’s not near as hard as you think it is. Now don’t get me wrong, grilling is just as much an art and a science as it is skill. I have the utmost for those that have mastered it, but we don’t have to be the best to have a really good steak dinner. And before you get any further down, here’s your real disclaimer: Grilling is subjective and everyone does it different. 

However, we’re gonna give you the absolute basics to get your first steak from purchase to plate without much work, hassle, or slaving over a grill for hours. (Besides, who has time for that!)  

Steak

Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak

1) It’s all in the meat. 

No matter what marinade you use, what you cook it on, or what you pair with it, you need to pick a great piece of steak. I honestly didn’t have a clue except that there was steak and there was hamburger meat. So off to Market Street I went to figure it all out when the butcher came out to help me (he must have seen the scare in my eyes!) He explained the cuts of meat so I knew what I was looking at and how best to cook it. 

Guide to Grilling a Steak

There are three basic classes you should know when it comes to your beef: Prime (best), Choice (better) and Select (good.) 

When it comes to flavor, it’s all in the marbling or the little white flecks in beef – is key to flavor. The higher the amount of marbling, the higher the quality of beef.

When it comes to the meat, Rancher’s Reserve is always a great choice with 100% Angus beef that is juicy, tender and full of flavor.

Now for the fun stuff, the cuts! These four steaks all come from the same general area of the cow – the short loin, tenderloin, and the ribs. 

TENDERLOIN // aka filet mignon / Boneless cut from the short loin and sirloin. / Most tender and most expensive cut of steak.

Guide to Grilling a Steak

T-BONE // aka Porterhouse / Bone in cross section of the unfilleted short loin with combo of f tenderloin and NY strip. / Great taste but difficult to cook with two different cuts. 

Guide to Grilling a Steak

NY STRIP // Boneless & sometimes bone-in short loin behind the ribs. / Fine grained texture with some marbling.

Guide to Grilling a Steak

RIBEYE // aka Delmonico /Boneless & bone-in cut from the rib cage. / Lots of marbling and fat pockets for the juiciest flavor. 

Guide to Grilling a Steak

The Ribeye is by far the best choice for new grillers. It’s more tender than the other cuts of beef and has lots of marbling, which means lots of juicy flavor! 

When it comes to the cut, you’ll want to aim for 1 1/4 inch – 1 1/2 inch cut.  

Don’t see any in the case? Then ask your butcher to assist you! Market Street will cut it to your specifications!

2) Season and Sit it Out.

Alrighty…this is where there are all kinds of opinions on the best way to make your steak taste perfect. What you put on it, how long you let it sit on the steak and how long you choose to put the steak in the fridge or at room temperatures varies as much as there are different opinions on how best to soothe a crying baby. There’s been tons of research, experiments, and lots of hot-headed opinions but for this first-timer’s steak: we’re keeping it basic. You’ll find your own way after you do it for the first time. 

Take your steak out of the fridge at least thirty minutes before you plan to cook your steak. Pat your steak with a paper towel. 

Add LOTS of kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to both sides (it’s going to seem excessive, but this will add the simple seasoning your steak needs. (Put it in your palm and let it fly!) 

Let the steak sit at room temperature for around half an hour. 

V

3) Get your Grill Going. 

The biggest question here is: How are you planning to cook this thing! 

Gas: By far the easiest way way to grill is on a gas grill. Turn on the tank, turn the burner, ignite, and close the lid for around 10 minutes when the grill hits around 425-450 degrees. Now you’re ready to roll! 

Is it time to cook? Hold your hand about about four to six inches above the grill grate, palm down. If you can hold it one to three seconds before you need to pull your hand away, you’re at high heat.

Charcoal: Yes, you’re going to have to light it up! Starting with a clean grill like this one, lay your self-starting charcoal (it has lighter fluid in the briquettes so you don’t have to deal with it) in a grid pattern. Then light each corner and let it go! Close the grill and either using a thermometer or the hand method (see above), wait until the charcoal has lost its flame and beginning to turn gray.  

Guide to Grilling a Steak

Pan-fry: It never seems to fail that you make plans to grill and Mother Nature makes another plan! When you’re in a rush or weather doesn’t permit outdoor grilling, go with the iron skillet! Just put it on high and let it go (I also like to add a little oil and butter to the pan for even more flavor!)  

4) Let’s Get Cooking. 

Alright, Alright, Alright! We’ve reached the big show! 

If you’re making your steaks on the grill, then you’re going to wait to cook your steaks until they get to your specific level of doneness. 

Rare // 120 degrees     Medium Rare // 130 degrees     Medium // 140 degrees     

Medium Well // 150 degrees     Well Done // 160 degrees

Guide to Grilling a Steak

You can also use the finger test, but this isn’t always accurate as using this.

5) Dinner is Done. 

To cut or to sit out, that is the question! One of the biggest controversies (yes, it’s that big of a deal) is whether you need to let your steak sit before serving. While there is all kinds of rationales for why you should and why you shouldn’t, but for me it’s simple: If you wait about 5 minutes after you take it off the heat, there’s less juice therefore less mess. So that’s my win-win. 

Steak

Now let’s eat!

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The Newest Diet: Digital Fast (Seen on Good Morning America)

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As seen on Good Morning America: How much screentime IS too much? This is one of the hot button question with families today. Maybe what you need is to do The Newest Diet, a Digital Fast.

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I remember the first time my husband and I successfully had a dinner out of the house with our 3-year-old son in peace and quiet.

Once he had finished his last chicken nugget, we slid him a smartphone, clicked on his favorite cartoon, and then enjoyed dinner, at our own pace, and without wondering if our young son was bugging everyone else around us. 


Screentime

My smartphone was now even smarter than before; it was now my ticket to getting things done like doctor’s appointments, long hauls in the car, and runs to the grocery store, with a toddler in tow.

Fast forward several years, now with two kids and managing my own PR / social media business, there wasn’t just a few smartphones in the shuffle, but a couple of handheld gaming devices, an at home game console, a few tablets and that’s not counting the number of laptops. 

Considering both my line of work and my husband’s, we were big consumers of technology and it only seemed right that so were our kids. Besides, their schools were using them daily. And if we were constantly checking our phones or laying around with our laptops, why shouldn’t our kids. 

But then one day I realized that my kids weren’t going outside to play. There were no playdates. They weren’t in their playroom playing with any of the many toys on the shelves. And forget board games; they were literally still sealed in cellophane because they had never been opened. 


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All my 8-year-old and 5-year-old kids wanted to do was play on a device. Anytime, anywhere. 

So began my quest to understand the effects of screentime  (especially beyond the TV) on kids. Considering the age of technology at your fingertips is fairly new, the research is fairly new as well, but the findings weren’t positive either: Too much screentime isn’t healthy, for them or for me. Research showed that kids lack of social skills, concentration, and even ADHD issues were being traced to too much screentime. 

And coincidentally those problems were some of the problems our kids were having at school. 

I started sharing my frustration and concern with my friends and asking how much time “screentime” their kids were getting.

Each and everytime I brought it up, I was met with the same response, “yes, mine are always on something, but what do we do?” Our parents didn’t have this conundrum, but my age of parenting did. As adults we are now tethered to our own smartphone to do our jobs, order dinner, and sneak a peek in on friends on social media 24/7, why would we want to say no to the one thing that seemed to make life so much easier for all of us. 

Digital-Fast-Limiting-Kids-Screentime

So when the opportunity to work on a project with ABC on screentime effects and the new age of Digital Addiction, I was all in. Introducing us to Dr. Victoria L. Dunckley and her book, The proposal was clear: the kids would go on a four-week digital fast and get rid of all screentime except for a few hours of TV with programming modifications. (If you want to learn about the effects of screens on our brains and our health, you should read this book.) 

Starting the Digital Fast

Digital-Fast-Limiting-Kids-Screentime

Dr. Dunckley with the kids playing board games and explaining the digital fast.

Of course, that wasn’t near as easy as it seemed. There would be some planning to give the kids other things to do and also give me other options to give them: board games, books, craft time, playing outside, whatever it took. Our time as parents on screens would also be greatly modified considering we couldn’t just bust out our smartphones at a restaurant. We had to show by example that during this fast, we were going to spend time doing other things. 

Digital-Fast-Limiting-Kids-Screentime

And of course, there was telling the kids that they we were taking away their devices for a month and then lock them up (and in our case away from the house.) I think that was the part I dreaded most. Were they going to hate me? Was I going to hate me that I didn’t have these tools at my disposal? 

What Happened During the Digital Fast

But you know what? It wasn’t that hard – at least not from the kids point of view. The kids didn’t throw the fits that I had anticipated. After we laid out the rules, they understood and they began asking to go play outside. 

They rode their bikes. We took walks. We played board games. We talked. We ate dinner around the table (both at home and at restaurants) and visited about our day. And at doctor’s appointments, I busted out the colors and the books. To fill up our time after homework and on the weekends, we enrolled in jiu-jistu to give them a new activity (and a new attitude too!) 

AND since I wasn’t on a device when I was with them, I started to enjoy things more too. Our time together wasn’t spent me on the phone or on my computer, but doing family things. I was enjoying being in the moment instead of trying to multitask and do more all the time. I wasn’t on social media all the time trying to keep up with the “Jones.” We were just being together and it felt good. 

Digital-Fast-Limiting-Kids-Screentime

I admit it wasn’t near as hard on them as it was on us at first. The change was something I learned I needed maybe more than they did. And I began to feel the effects. I was happier, they were happier. 

I realized that the devices had no longer been the tool I thought they were, but a crutch for me as a parent to not be present. And wasn’t that the whole point of being one? 

As for the kids, because they were playing and having more family time, they seemed to be happier. And their behavior, while not perfect, seemed to be a little more manageable, especially because me knowing what was happening or bothering them, instead of being on my smartphone allowed me to handle it before it got out of hand. 

And even asked by the ABC crew if they were happier, they said yes. 

Digital-Fast-Limiting-Kids-Screentime

This is me checking in with Dr. Dunckley about the Digital Fast.

After the Digital Fast

So did anything change? Yes. Things got better for all of us. And they continue to as well. While we have officially finished the fast, the screens haven’t been reintroduced. We haven’t needed to add them back into our routine so I haven’t put them out to remind them. They’re still tucked away, out of sight, out of mind. I know as a parent I can’t keep them away from them forever and I don’t plan to either, but I just don’t think it needs to replace the most important part of being a family and having me be a parent. And believe me, I love my smartphone, but I know we all could use a lesson on living in a world of technology. Even though I work in social media it doesn’t mean that it’s the always the best way to communicate. You can’t replace communicating and engaging with people as people, face to face, especially the ones you love most, with a device. 

Do yourself a favor and do a little digital fast of your own. 

Have you had an issue with screentime with your kids? Do you think your family needs a digital fast? 

 

Sopapilla Popcorn

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Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, celebrate with Sopapilla Popcorn! Easy to make, easy to eat and family friendly!affiliate-links

Popcorn.

There’s nothing like it. The smell. The taste. The crunch.

Sopapilla-Popcorn


When you head to the movies, it’s a must have.

Hosting a movie night at home, it’s a must have.

This universal crowd pleaser has kept The Popcorn Store alive and poppin’ since 1982. That’s right, a whole store dedicated to the art of popcorn. And with more than 40+ flavors, you’d think they had thought they had created them all…

BUT along came Pinterest and Food Network…and now you can find every kind of popcorn imaginable. Savory. Sweet. Whatever. 

Except I didn’t find this one. That’s like a Holy Grail.

Sopapilla-Popcorn

The idea came to me as my kiddo asked if he could order a sopapilla or churro during a recent trip to our favorite Tex-Mex stop.

Sopapillas are one of those desserts…just saying the name is almost as fun as eating them. Warm airy pillows of cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, and cinnamon – all dripping with honey. 

Don’t even get me on honey. Liquid gold. If you can get your hands on local (real local honey) then consider yourself lucky. Everything’s better with good honey.

Sopapilla-Popcorn

Such a decadent treat – how could it be bad on popcorn?

Sugar. Honey. Cinnamon. Like a sweet mirepoix.

Add the popcorn and you can almost hear the strumming from the mariachi band begin to play.

And so easy you really don’t need a recipe.

But why not!

HOWEVER, before you throw in that microwave package of popcorn…do tastebuds a favor and go au natural with your kernels.

Use this if you wish, or just throw in a quarter cup of kernels into a glass bowl, place a plate on the top (big enough to cover the rim), and put it in the microwave. Depending on your microwave, cook for 3-4 minutes and aha viola! or in this case, popped corn.

Don’t believe me, try it. Really. It’s that easy. And you’ll never go back. Especially if you find out what’s in that bag of store-bought microwaved popcorn. 

So let’s sopapilla!

Sopapilla

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Sopapilla Popcorn

  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
Print Recipe

Description

OMG

Ingredients

  • 5 cups popcorn, popped
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 3-4 tablespoons honey

Instructions

  1. Fill a bowl with popcorn and set aside.
  2. In a bowl, combine sugars and cinnamon together and blend.
  3. Pour sugar mixture over the popcorn and toss (be careful not to crunch the popcorn.)
  4. Pour honey all over the popcorn, being careful to get it over most the popcorn.
  5. Toss carefully.
  6. Inhale the aroma and enjoy!

Just remember this is best fresh and warm so and with a recipe this easy, why would you make it any other way! To store though, make sure you place in a sealed bag or your sopapilla popcorn may taste like sopapillas five hours later…gross.

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