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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Easy Ways to Cool Down with Sweet Frozen Treats

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Thanks for following MamaChallenge.com! 

 Today on WFAA Good Morning Texas I’ve put together some simple treats that taste delicious and can cool you down in the heat of the summer! Scroll down to see the video and the cutest sous chef in the world!

Make even water a fun treat with rainbow ice cubes and fruit!
RAINBOW ICE CUBES
Ice Cube Tray
Water
Food coloring
Fill ice trays with a few drops of food coloring. Freeze until ice (overnight). Put in a glass and allow to melt for the colors to make a rainbow.
NUTELLA COOL WHIP ICE CREAM POPSICLES
From 52 Kitchen Adventures blog
1 c. Cool Whip
½ c. milk
3 Tbsp. Nutella
Blend and freeze in popsicle molds.
Bananas can be the base and you can add what you want for instant ice cream.

 

(BANANA) MINT CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM
Ripe frozen bananas
3-4 drops of mint oil, flavoring
½ cup of chocolate chips
Blend bananas until smooth. Then add oil and chocolate chips and blend just until smooth.
This is such a simple snack, but guests of the Joule drool over this grape snack.

 

FROZEN GRAPES

2 c Red Grapes, rinsed and stemmed (or a mix of any variety of grapes)
¼ c sugar
Place grapes in a gallon-size plastic resealable bag with sugar.
Seal and shake bag to coat grapes.
Empty grapes onto a paper towel to air-dry.
Place grapes on a baking pan and allow to freeze for 2-3 hours. Serve.
YOGURT SORBET  
1 cup of frozen berries
1 cup of Greek yogurt
2 tbsp honey
Blend until smooth and serve. 

Take a SHOT with Real Housewives’ Tamra Judge in Colleyville on Friday

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Anyone who knows me, knows I have a bad habit of Bravo! I don’t mean I applaud ferociously at anything, but late at night, when I’m hard at work on presentations, blog posts and more, I normally have my TV tuned to the Bravo network to check on my fellow Housewives or see what my buddy Andy is up to. 

That statement even makes me laugh. 

There’s nothing really fellow about any member of the Real Housewives franchise, but there are a few of the geographies that I do enjoy indulging in like a spoon in an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s on a Sunday night. In the past I’ve enjoyed a little Heather Dubrow on the blog and this Friday I’ll kick off my weekend (well 24 hour vacation) with from Tamra Judge. 


You know Tamra. In the past she’s been known to do a lot of things, but she’s been know to throw down and be the life of the party. So what a perfect way to start things off – with Tamra and a shot!

Friday, June 20 Real Housewives of Orange County star, Tamra Judge, hosts a bottle signing and cocktail tasting event at the Colleyville Goody Goody Liquor store, 4701 Colleyville Blvd., Friday, June 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. in celebration of her partnership with the Cuca Fresca brand.

Don’t know what Cuca Fresca is? Me neither. 

From the press release: 
Cachaça is the world’s third most consumed spirit behind vodka and soju, and the Brazilian-based liquor is one of the fastest growing spirits category in the U.S. Tamra’s husband, Eddie Judge, discovered the spirit while traveling overseas, and introduced Tamra to it on one of their first vacations together. The couple was drawn to working with Cuca Fresca because of its premium taste and organic production methods.



So bring your $21 and come out and get a “shot” with Tamra (or at least get your bottle signed and use one of these recipes to enjoy a little Cuca Fresca! 

Best Legs for Summer at Any Age

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Everyone wants ’em, but how can you get the best legs for summer? Take a look at these tips from me on Good Morning Texas! (I still can’t believe I wore shorts on TV!) Affiliate links may be included. 

1. Fit Legs (Exercise)
Just a little bit goes a long ways to create a great leg. Calf raises. Squats while you blowdry your hair. Take the stairs. Go to ToneItUp.com. Or Skinny Mom. Love both of these sites – and they are full of ideas for helping you get a great looking leg. Or here in Dallas, you can get a serious leg work out that’s lots of fun with FLYWHEEL! With two spinning locations – Highland Park and Plano, you’ll be rocking and rolling with awesome legs and a workout that can be compared!


2. Exfoliate // Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish
Smooth legs start with exfoliation! This gentle moisturizing scrub is perfect for getting rid of those pesky bumps from ingrown hairs, razor burn, or dry skin. The scrub is make from pure brown sugar blended with the world’s finest oils so it’s all natural and has a lovely scent. Use this product two to three times a week for soft, radiant skin. 

 3. Moisturize // Sephora Collection Nourishing Body Butter 
This buttery smooth moisturizer will leave legs soft and nourished. The non-greasy texture contains shea butter extract and Hydrosenn+ for an added boost of deep hydration. It’s available in nine delicious scents like Mango, Coconut, and Cotton Flower. The delicate scent contains a unique extract to de-stress your senses and promises an instant inner lift so you’ll look and feel beautiful!

 4. Tint/Cover // 

St. Tropez Self Tan
Now that you have the right tools, you need the perfect self-tanner to give your legs an airbrushed, natural looking glow. Self-tanner helps slim the appearance of your legs and hides imperfections like vericose veins and sun spots. The unique non-greasy formula is ultra-hydrating and easy to use for a beautiful, streak-free finish that lasts up to 10 days. This product is great for all skin tones and ages and features a 100 percent natural fragrance so you don’t have that tell-tale self-tanner aroma.

 Rodan Fields Tanning Foam
Protecting skin from the sun is a must, but that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve a sun-kissed glow the healthy way. The lightweight, oil-free, mess-free sunless tanning foam applies easily and dries quickly. The effective dual-active formula ensures even, natural-looking color without exposure to the harmful UVA and UVB rays. It contains Rodan + Fields’ RF-Dcell technology, which is derived from dormant narcissus bulb extract, to “quench” the rate of cell hyper-proliferation and extend the duration of the sunless tan. Antioxidant vitamins A, C and E protect skin from free radical damage. Click here for tips from Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields on achieving best results.

My friend Candess is amazing inside and out and will be able to give you great service with a smile! 

Perfekt Body Perfection Gel
This gel will make stockings in the summer obsolete! The formula contains Hyaluronic Microspheres that hydrate the skin and help firm, tone, and improve the look of skin’s elasticity and suppleness. It’s fast drying and glides on effortlessly to instantly perfect and enhance the appearance of the legs. I love that this is available in three different shades to suit all skin tones. 

 Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Makeup, Light Glow
Leg makeup. Water resistant formula. Spray-on perfect legs in an instant! With Vitamin K to help cover & fade imperfections. Flawless, healthy-looking legs in an instant! Imagine the feeling of absolute freedom from pantyhose. Spray-on, water-resistant skin perfecting leg makeup stays fresh and natural-looking all day. This breakthrough formula is weightless, long-lasting, transfer resistant and optically slimming. Enriched with Vitamin K, it covers and helps fade freckles, veins and imperfections. Legs look gorgeous and feel soft, smooth and sexy. Bare legs are nice. Airbrush Legs are irresistible! 

Marc Jacobs Beauty O! Mega Bronze – Perfect Tan
Bronzer isn’t just for the face! Use a matte bronzer on your shins and top of the thighs to contour the legs so they look leaner and longer. The bronzer is formulated with micro-fine, jet-milled powder and advanced pigment technology, so it blends seamlessly onto your skin for a flawless, radiant-matte finish. I love the oversized palette – this bronzer will last you well beyond the summer!

 5. The Perfect Shorts // 
Gap Summer Short 
There are many lengths that are trending this season, but the short, short short was not made for all women. However, there is a perfect length for all of us – and it isn’t pants. You want to make sure you try in all the shorts because it’s going to depend on where your waist line is and where the short is made to sit. Ideally the short you want is going to be as long as the widest part of your thigh and not hug it but be a fit leg. No cuffs or décor, just slim line and minimal to get the eye of the short and down your leg. 6. 

Create the Long Leg // 
Crocs Women’s A-Leigh Wedge Leather (my favorite) 
While we all wish we were born with model legs, it just isn’t that way for all of us. So you have to make it look like it is. So you want to create the illusion, by wearing a shoe with a little bit of a heel. I don’t like heels either, so I love the platform/espadrilles that are so trendy. Again they give the look you want without the discomfort of a heel. And check out these from Croc. Again, an attractive trendy leather show, with the insole of a Croc. I wore them around Italy and even after hours, I wasn’t complaining a bit. 

 7.  Pretty Toes Means Pretty Legs //
FORMULA X Nails
Summer is the season to show off your toes, and these vibrant shades are the perfect finishing touch to radiant, glowing legs. There’s nothing more unattractive than looking at a foot that’s rough and toenails that haven’t been touched with paint since you remodeled the house. Consider it a necessary piece of business in the summer to get a pedicure and let some take off that dead skin and paint it up. If you are doing something at home. Dress your nails in a single shade for a classic summer pedi, or experiment with a complementary accent nail or design. The formula is also fast-drying allowing for a smooth, flawless finish in a flash.

 

Summertime Recipes with Strawberries, Lemons and Avocados, Oh My!

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Nothing says summer more like strawberries. And a few lemons and avocados make a nice complement as well. (Can you say guacamole?) 


So with June just on the horizon, we played ode to the summer today on Good Morning Texas featuring the unofficial fruits of summer (yes, these are all fruits!)

STRAWBERRY COLADA CAKE

Inspired by http://www.aspicyperspective.com/2010/05/farmstand-fresh.html

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 
2 cups sugar 
3 eggs 
3 Tb. lemon juice, divided 
zest of 1 lemon 
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, divided 
½ tsp. baking soda 
½ tsp. salt 8 oz. Greek yogurt, plain 
12 oz. fresh strawberries, diced 
1 cup powdered sugar 
2 Tb. of cream of coconut 
¼ c. shredded coconut 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.  

Sift together the 2 ¼ cups of flour, baking soda and salt. Mix in the lemon zest and set aside. 

With an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 1 Tb. lemon juice. Alternate beating in the flour mixture and the yogurt, mixing just until incorporated. Toss the strawberries with the remaining ¼ cup of flour. Gently mix them into the batter. 

Pour the batter into the Bundt pan. Place in the oven and reduce the temperature to 325 degrees F. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. 

Allow to cool at least 20 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely. Once cooled, whisk together the remaining 2 Tb. of lemon juice and the powdered sugar with cream of coconut. Drizzle over the top of the cake and sprinkle coconut as desired.

STRAWBERRY JALAPENO SALSA

15-20 strawberries, chopped 
1/3 medium red onion 
Handful of cilantro, chopped 
1 Jalapeno, finely minced 
Juice of fresh lime 

 Mix everything in a bowl. Chill until ready to serve. Serve with tortilla chips or cinnamon chips. 

 * Cinnamon chips can be made easily in the oven! Broil several flour tortillas sprayed with cooking spray and cut into 8 triangles (use a pizza cutter to cut several easily)until brown. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar to the chips.


 Strawberry salad with avocado and bacon vinaigrette

6 cups spinach, kale or greens mix 
2 cups sliced strawberries 
1 ripe avocado, sliced
Crumbled bleu cheese (optional)

 

8 slices bacon, diced

3 tablespoons stone ground mustard

2 tablespoons honey

3 cloves chopped garlic

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

 

Place salad, strawberries and avocado into a large bowl and set aside.

For the dressing, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from pan, set aside and crumble. Add mustard, honey, garlic, and salt and pepper to the pan with the bacon dripping. Combine well with a whisk. Whisk apple cider vinegar into the pan. Continue to whisk until the vinaigrette has thickened slightly. 

Allow to cool slightly before adding to salad. Add bleu cheese crumbles (optional.)

Now it’s time to find a recipe for a strawberry mojito! 

Turn Back Time – Ways to Keep Your Skin Looking Younger

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Last week I made an amazing, yet very SAD discovery.
 
Mother Nature left a little mark on me in the form of a wrinkle.
I was looking in the rearview window and noticed it and of course, tried to wipe it away. Then after a few minutes I realized it wasn’t going away or could it?
 
So off I started on my search for the fountain of youth to find out what I could do today to make a difference now and hopefully tomorrow as well.
Starting from the inside out, here’s what I found can help or at least in the words of Cher, “If I could turn back time.”
WATER, WATER ALL AROUND
Water is the answer for almost everything and when it comes to skin there’s nothing better.
Think of a raisin…with water, your skin looks like a grape. Without it, it looks like a raisin. Which one do you want your skin to look like? Most people don’t even drink their recommended water intake. Roughly to find your water intake you want to multiply your weight by 2/3 or 67 percent. If you weight 100 pounds, you need 67 oz water. If you’re 200 pounds, you need around 130 oz. Of course, the environment, your exercise habits, alcoholic intake impacts your intake requirements. Just remember, you need about 2, 2 liters of water a day. Don’t like water or need a little help to drink more? Check out this post on “How to Get your H2O!
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
Veggies and fruit aren’t just good for your diet, but for your skin, too. When it comes to our skin we want to be an ace – meaning we want to make sure we are getting our Vitamins A, C & E.  

They contain antioxidants that fight off the free radicals, aka the environmental toxins that’s in the air, in what we eat, and all around us. They also fight off our cancer risk and have several healthy benefits.
TOMATOES contain the antioxidant LYCOPENE which helps your skin cells work at their optimal rate. 
Eat at least 1/2 cup of cooked tomatoes a day.
BLUEBERRIES contain the antioxidant POLYPHENOLS, that helps to protect your skin and maintain elasticity and vibrancy. Plus polyphenols also help prevent memory problems.
Eat one or more 1/2-cup servings daily.
KALE contains the antioxidant LUTEIN to help prevent aging and contains iron.
Eat two or more 1/2-cup servings of kale or other greens a day.
RED PEPPERS contains the antioxidant BIOFLAVANOIDS to moisturize and heal the skin.
Eat two or more 1/2-cup servings a day of red peppers, carrots, beets, or similarly colored veggies.
PUT IT ON THICK
The cosmetic and beautycare makes up a multibillion dollar industry and it’s full of products that claim to turn back time. Whatever your price point you need to remember all skin care routines need to really consist of four steps:
1. Clean
2. Exfoliate
3. Moisturize
4. Protect
And you have to make sure to put on the sunscreen! I love SUPERGOOP – it’s sunscreen, anti-aging serum and moisturizer in one.
Some do and some don’t, but these products give you both instant and long-term results just like having a spa at home.

Exfoliate:
Clarisonic: Mia 2 $199
Cleans 6X Better than hands or Washcloth
Smoother more Radiant Skin
Can Be used with your favorite Cleanser
All skin types
Helps Reduce Pores and treat Acne Prone Skin
Various Brush Heads depending on Skin Needs
2 yr Mfg Warranty
Microdermabrasion:
PMD: Personal Microderm $179
Exfoliates while Leaving you with the appearance of Smoothier and more Radiant Skin
Evens Skin Tone
Helps Shrink Pores
Helps Smooth Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Lancer: MicroCurrent Power Boost $250
Helps Maintain a Firm, Refined and Luminous Complexion
/ReChargeable Battery
Easy for Travel
5 Minutes Instant Smoothness
Boost collagen, optimize cell function while renew and rejuvenate skin
LaPrairie: Essence of Skin Caviar $140
Helps Smooth Fine Lines and Wrinkles on the Upper and Lower Eye Lid
Can be used under Eyeshadow as a Primer
Smoothes Crows Feet
Caviar Extracts
Lancom: Visionnaire 1 Minute BLUR
Instant Skin Perfector
Smoothes Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Can be used with or Without makeup
Aides in longer foundation wear
Perricone MD “OVM” Anti Aging $165
OVM- highest Cosmetic Concentration of Retinol
Peptides
Anti-Aging – Helps Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles leaving with you with the appearance of youthful skin
Silky Slumber
Using a silk or satin pillow instead of a cotton pillow can help fight off sleep induced wrinkles and even keep your hair in check! The fibers in many of them have copper, which is a proven mineral to minimize aging skin. Since cotton absorb moisture, it not only wipes off that moisturizer you just put on, but takes out all the moisture you want your skin to keep while you sleep.
It’s Gonna Be a Bright, Sunshiny day
Want to appear you’ve taken off a few years before you leave for the day? Then wear brighter colors. While I have a closet full of black and it makes me feel thinner, the color actually causes a  harsh contrast in the skin making your skin appear to be more dull and less vibrant. But adding color into your wardrobe, it appears you have a more youthful look. Even if it’s a necklace, cardigan or scarf, a small change can make a big difference in looking younger! Also by changing up those accessories to more trendier pieces, you can make that black dress you’ve been wearing for 10 years and your skin look runway ready.
Say goodbye to wrinkled skin! 

 


Spring Perfect Slow Cooker Dessert Recipes {As seen on TV}

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Ahhh, spring. 

That magical two weeks in Texas where it’s nice enough to go outdoors where you are either going to get eaten up by a tornado or melt from heat exhaustion. So with such little time to enjoy the season, you have to spend as much enjoying it and not in the kitchen.


So bust out the slowcooker to take away some of the work and the heat – even when it comes to desert! Take a look at the recipes for three recipes you’ve probably never thought out making in your slowcooker – Strawberry Cheesecakes in a Jar, Oatmeal Cookie Apples, and Banana Rum Cake. These recipes are part of the WFAA Good Morning Texas segment on April 28 – hope you’ve watched! 

SLOWCOOKER STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKES IN A JAR
Ingredients
Crust
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)
Filling
2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
1 2/3 cups sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs, at room temperature
½ teaspoon orange zest

3/4 cup cream, half & half, or whole milk

Instructions
For the crust: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup graham cracker crumbs with 1 tablespoon sugar. (If you like you can add a tablespoon melted butter to the mix for a more moist the crust.) Place 2 tablespoons sweetened crumbs in each of seven 1/2-pint Mason jars. Press down lightly.
For the mixture: Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, eggs, orange zest and cream until smooth, but be careful not to overmix. Put batter into a pitcher for easier pouring and fill each jar 3/4 full with batter.
Place jars in a 8 qt slowcooker. Fill the crockpot with water until it reached about ½ way to the jars (also called a warm bath or bain marie. (To make sure you don’t get water in the cheesecakes, place tops back on batter and then remove after pouring.) Cover slow cooker with lid and allow for cooking for 1-2 hours. (It’s all about how your crockpot cooks.)
To check for doneness, use a knife and insert from outer edge and check that the knife comes out moist, but clean.
Turn off the slowcook cooker and allow the jars to cook for 20 minutes before removing. After placing on rack, allow the jars to rest at room temperatures for an hour before sealing. Then chill in the fridge for several hours before serving.
Add your favorite topping like macerated strawberries sprinkled with sugar.


SLOWCOOKER OATMEAL COOKIE APPLES
Ingredients
4 apples
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup margarine
3/4 cup raisins
1 cup instant oats
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Core apples
Instructions
Wash and core apples (I’d make a larger hole than a regular core job to make room for the good stuff.)
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
Stuff the apples with the oatmeal raisin mixture.
Spray crockpot/slow cooker with a non-stick spray, then place apples inside.
Sprinkle the rest of the apple crisp topping over the apples.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. When ready, the apples should be very soft to the touch/poke.
Serve with ice cream or a little cream like an oatmeal cookie.

BANANA RUM CAKE
Inspired by Better Crocker

Ingredients

Bread

2 2/3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 ½ cups mashed very ripe bananas
¾ cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
4 tablespoons Spiced Rum
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ cup chopped walnuts

Glaze

2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoon spiced rum, warmed in the microwave
Instructions
Grease bottom only of 3 1/2- to 4-quart round slow cooker with shortening or cooking spray. Sprinkle lightly with 2 teaspoons of the Bisquick mix.
In large bowl, stir bananas, granulated sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, 4 tablespoons spiced rum, vanilla and eggs until well blended. Stir in remaining Bisquick mix, cinnamon, and 1/2 cup of the walnuts until well blended. Pour into slow cooker.
Cover; cook on high for 1 ½ hours to 2 hours or until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Turn off slow cooker; uncover, and remove base from cooker to cooling rack. Let cool 15 minutes.
Loosen edge of bread with knife. Remove bread from slow cooker to cooling rack. Cool 1 hour.

For glaze, in small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth and consistency of thick syrup. Drizzle over top of bread. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts.

Here’s to enjoying the weather!

11 Monthly Subscription Boxes For Everyone {As Seen on TV}

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affiliate-linksI’m getting to go a little out of my own box this week on Good Morning Texas with a look at the coolest trend to hit your inbox and mailbox: subscription boxes! 

I’ve scoured the Internet to find some of the coolest, my unique, and downright just too much fun to pass up subscription box concepts for the ladies, the gents and even Fido, too!
 
Here’s my rundown! 


For the Ladies:
 
Fabletics // Women’s Active Wear
 
Kate Hudson’s new line of stylish active performance clothing at half the price. Take an assessment and either stylist sends you full outfits or you can online shop as normal.
Starts at $49.95 for full outfit
 
Sent Her Way // Feminine Products
 
Sent Her Way takes the chore to the store out of every woman’s routine by shipping all her customized supplies each month! 
            
$9/month
                 
Stitch Fix // Styling and Clothes                
               
Stitch Fix is a personal styling service. Complete your style, size, and budget preferences, and they will send you a package of stylish goodies to try on at home, choose what you like and return what you don’t! And there’s even suggestions to how to wear it!
 
$20 styling fee goes towards your fix if you buy clothes. Each fix is priced in separate pieces or as discount when all are purchased.
 
For the Men:
 
Carnivore Club // Cured meats
 
Straight from Canada, each month members receive a faux-wood box filled with 4-6 handcrafted cured meats themed around French charcuterie, Italian Salumi, Spanish Chorizo, South African Biltong and Artisnal Jerky, etc.
 
$50-$55               
 
Dollar Shave of the Month, www.dollarshaveclub.com
Personal Shave Care
 
“Shave Time, Shave Money.” Get your personal grooming products sent monthly starting with you choosing the blade!
 
$1, $6, $9            
 
Mystery Tackle Box, www.mysterytacklebox.com
Sporting goods/fishing
 
“Discover Baits to Build Your Confidence.” Perfect for your fisherman for special tackle and bait options.
 
Starts as low as $13.75/12-month subscription    
 
For Everyone on Your List: 
 
Birchbox, www.birchbox.com
Makeup              
 
Each month subscriber received a box of carefully selected deluxe samples for women/men to try. Then they can purchase the full size versions on the Birchbox Shop.
 
Women’s $10/month for 4-5 deluxe samples. Men’s $20/month for 3-4 deluxe samples.
               
Escape Travel Box, www.escapemonthly.com
Travel-themed food/fun items
               
Can’t go vacation, then get one sent to you. A destination-inspired monthly delivery of luxury products to help you relax, renew and escape!
 
$49.95/month
 
Barkbox, www.barkbox.com
Pet Snacks         
 
Tell us how big your dog’s bark is. Toys, gifts & gadgets for every dog size.
$18-29/month, plans available at every length. 
 
Stunner of the Month, www.stunnerofthemonth.com
Sunglasses                         
 
Fun sunglasses of every shape, size and look.
 
$9
 
Naturebox, www.naturebox.com
Natural Snacks 
 
Full size healthy snacks sent straight to your door. Three box sizes that fit your diet like No-GMOs, no-gluten, no-dairy.
 
Pick size/price. Starts around $20/month              
 
 

Easy Easter Crafts Using Handprints {As Seen on TV}

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I’m not a crafty mama. But it’s possible to be crafty without much skill and two hands! Here are some Easy Easter Crafts Using Handprints! 

So when my latest assignment on Good Morning Texas was to demonstrate some Easter crafts…I kinda wanted to turn into a turtle and duck into my shell.

Handprints

So I decided that the best crafts are the kind that anyone can do – even me.


While I don’t enjoy crafting, I do like to have a little piece of memorabilia from my kiddos to keep or give to the grandparents who don’t always get to see the kids, but love getting to stay involved in the kids’ lives.

After getting a cute craft from my child’s school using my daughter’s feet for leaves and her hands for petals, I sprung an idea. We’d do all things fun with handprints.

Honestly, these crafts are so easy, they don’t even need instructions. Just take a look at my tutorial I did on GMT on April 10. And you still have time to do these since they are so quick and still get them in the mail just in time for Easter. Or you could use many of these for Mother’s Day, too!  Need more ideas? 

Check out my Pinterest Easter Board! 

Follow Autumn Reo {mamachallenge.com}’s board HOLIDAY: Easter on Pinterest.

Do you have any handprint crafts you’d like to share? 

Easy Easter Food Fun for Everyone

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Looking for an Easter craft that doesn’t take too much time or creativity for a cute and yummy treat? Here’s easy Easter food fun for everyone.

“Multitasking Mama” is my middle name. Unfortunately, “Make-and-Do-Mama” isn’t.

So if creativity isn’t one of your skill sets, you are in good company. This Easter I’ve put together a few of my favorite craft ideas that are as much fun to make as they are to eat! These activities that I either found on Pinterest or have been making for years will give you and your kids something fun to do while you spend time together and best of all, when you are done, you can gobble them up for snack time.

And did I mention they are super easy? So easy in fact my son made his own YouTube video on how to make one of them? (Kids these days…)


All of these crafts were featured on Good Day Dallas on April 5, 2014. Hope you caught the segment, but if you didn’t, here’s the highlight reel and the recipes for you to make at home!

 

Jackson’s Easter Day Bark
From MamaChallenge.com

Package of White Almond Bark
Package of Easter M&Ms
Sprinkles
Easter Egg Malted Eggs

Place the almond bark in a microwave safe dish and microwave for 90 seconds to melt (adding more every 10 seconds until it’s melted.) 

Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spread the almond bark. Drop the M&Ms and other candy over the melted bark. Allow to cool by placing in the freezer. When it solidifies, break into pieces. Makes for a cheap, easy and cute gift to friends, neighbors and teachers!

 

Easter Basket Cupcakes
(I’ve been doing these since I was a kid!) 

Cupcake with vanilla icing 
Favorite Easter candy
Licorice rope

Jelly Beans 
Peeps or Chocolate Easter Bunny candy
Shredded Coconut
Green food coloring

 Place coconut in a plastic baggie or a plastic bowl with a lid. Drop 3-5 drops of food color and then cover. Shake container until completely saturated green. There’s your Easter grass!

 Now just line up all your candies in a few bowls so the kids can easily get to them to make their Easter baskets. 

 Taking the cupcake, sprinkle or swirl cupcake until the top is covered in coconut. Now place your Peep or Chocolate bunny in cupcake. Place jelly beans around it to look like eggs. Last place both ends of your licorice stick into the cupcake to resemble a basket. Now eat it!

 

Carrot Snacks
This is a great for small kids that doesn’t involve sugar! 

 1 quart size plastic baggies or clear pastry bags
Favorite orange snacks (I prefer Amy’s Organic Bunnies, buy you can use Cheetos or Goldfish) 
Green ribbon

 After removing the zip closure on the bags with a diagonal cut, please snacks in one corner of the bag and twist up to resemble a carrot. To close, tie a green ribbon around the top to look like a stem and you are done!

 Strawberry Carrots
 White Chocolate Chips or Orange Melts
1-2 Tablespoons of shortening
Orange powdered icing coloring 
Strawberries
Crushed Oreos

 Melt chocolate with shortening until smooth in the microwave or over a double boiler. Now turn chocolate orange if needed with the icing coloring. Next after drying your strawberries (if you don’t the water will cause chocolate to seize and turn gritty), dip the strawberry into chocolate until covered. Place on wax paper to dry for 15-20 minutes. Serve “carrots” over a bed of crushed Oreo to resemble a garden.

Carrot Patch Cups 
As seen on Kidzui.com

2 Packets of instant chocolate pudding
2 Cups of milk
1 Thawed package of Cool Whip
2 Cups Oreo cookies
Orange Icing (or white with orange food coloring)
Edible candy grass (or Coconut dyed with green food coloring)

Mix the pudding and milk together.
Gently stir in the Cool Whip.
Crush your Oreos and add half of them to the pudding.
Divide the pudding mixture into cups or dishes and top with the remaining Oreos.
Pipe the orange frosting onto the top to look like a carrot growing out of the ground.
Top with a few blades of fake grass.


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Last-Minute, Kid Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Treats {As seen on TV}

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Don’t we all wish we had enough time to make the perfect themed desserts for every holiday?

St-Patricks-Day

These recipes are all part of WFAA ABC 8 Good Morning Texas on the Monday, March 17 St. Patricks Day show. But just in case you aren’t able to tune in or need to get the recipes, here you go!


Pots-of-Gold

Rainbow Pots of Gold
(Inspired by Women’s Day)

What are all leprechauns after? Gold at the end of the rainbow! So we’ve combined both the pots of gold and rainbow for a fun treat that is as much fun to make as they are to eat.

Ingredients
1 box of white cake mix
Food coloring (basic variety pack works great or whatever color you want to make)
1 tub of chocolate frosting
Several Tootsie Roll minis at room temperature
1 package of Sour Patch straws in red or Twizzler Rope licorice
Yellow/gold candy (I used Sixlets or you can use M&Ms or jelly beans)

Instructions
Make the cake batter as instructed for cupcakes. Divide the batter evenly between four small bowls. Then using the food coloring, change each of the batters to your desired color. Next in a greased and floured muffin pan, take one spoonful of batter and begin alternating even amounts of each color until it’s about 3/4 full. Complete the process until you finish your batter. Bake muffin as instructed on box.

In the meantime, unwrap the Tootsie Roll and begin rolling until its flat. The strip should be about 1.75 – 2 inches long.

Once muffins are complete and cooled, flip them over to begin icing. Using the chocolate icing, frost the cupcake except the bottom (which is normally the top of the cupcake.)

Take your Tootsie Roll and form it to look like the top of a bag (almost in a circle.) Lay on top of the cupcake.

Next take your straw/licorice and loop it under the Tootsie Roll so it looks like a string. Criss-cross the ends to resemble a tied bag.

Last, lay your candies in the Tootsie Roll portion to look like gold pieces.

Now your cupcake should look like a pot of gold, but when you bite into it, you’ll find the rainbow surprise!

Treat-Bars

It’s My Lucky Day Treat Bars

I’ve never been a big fan of colored marshmallows in my cereal. Or any cereal that turned my milk a bright unnatural color for that matter. But when you pair the cereal with a little marshmallows and butter, something magical happens – like these bars. So easy my five-year-old made them, these treats are exactly the perfectly quick treat to make everyone’s day a little more lucky (or at least tastier.)

Ingredients
5 cups of Lucky Charms cereal
4 cups of marshmallows (I prefer the small ones so they melt easier)
3 tablespoons of butter

Instructions
Sift through your cereal and pull out some of the Lucky Charm marshmallows so you can put on top of the treat bars for decoration!

Melt the butter on medium heat (or in the microwave if you really wanted to stay off the oven) and then add marshmallows. Stiring often to keep from burning, add cereal until combined. Pour combination into a greased pan (I like 8×10 so they are thicker) and then pack down with a greased hand (thank you, Pam spray.) Allow to sit for an hour at least to harden.

Optional, you could die the treats green while mixing, but I just can’t stomach green food unless it’s an avocado or a margarita.)

Oreo Truffles

I’ve never met an Oreo I didn’t like. And when it’s mint then dipped in chocolate, well then we are meant to be friends for life. This is a no-cook recipes, so it’s all hands on deck to make these babies. Just make sure not to eat all the Oreos before you start making them. (If you prefer you could use Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies, but who still has any of those left by St. Patrick’s Day?)

Ingredients
1 package of Mint Oreo Cookies (don’t open them until you’re ready to make these or you’ll eat them all)
1 package of cream cheese Dipping chocolate or white/green candy melts (You can find these at Walmart now!)

Instructions
Crush the cookies in a food processor or blender until fine. Combine crumbs with cream cheese well. Roll into balls and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Place in freezer for an hour. Meanwhile melt your chocolate either in the microwave as instructed (or on the stovetop if it’s easier) and then dip truffles in chocolate coating completing.

Then decorate however you wish!

For other great St. Patrick’s Day Ideas and more fun, check out my Pinterest page!

Follow Autumn Reo {mamachallenge.com}’s board HOLIDAYS: St. Pat’s Day on Pinterest.

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