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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Hop on Over to IHOP for a Taste of the French with New Brioche French Toast

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Food Fridays:

 I received a gift card for the purposes of this review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own. 

This Food Friday may actually be better titled as a “Food Saturday” morning as we’re talking breakfast. However, my family loves to eat breakfast anytime, so when the temperatures got cold this last week, we headed to one of our good ‘ole standby: IHOP! 


Oh how times have changed. When I used to go to IHOP it was late nights for studying or from hanging out with my friends. I’d drink on that endless coffee pot for hours and enjoy the comfort of my IHOP close to my dorm room. 

 Fast-forward a decade and a husband and kiddo later and I find myself again at IHOP. Except it’s 5 PM not 5 AM, the studying happening at the table is my son’s ABCs and the issues discussed involve birthday parties, school and other kiddo-centric topics. One thing does remain the same: me and the endless coffee pot. (Thanks for that IHOP.) 



However, there was another change on the menu this trip – a new offering for Brioche French Toast. Being that my son is obsessed with french toast and sausage (his request for breakfast every morning), I was sure that this was going to be a French-filled meal for him. Instead dad and I ordered it up the french toasts + add ons and he ordered his normal chocolate funny face (kids can’t resist a little chocolate chips and whip cream faces.)

These thick-cut slices of round brioche bread are soaked in a lightly-sweetened vanilla batter, grilled to a crispiness then topped with three toppings:

  • Bananas Foster Brioche French Toast comes with a New Orleans Foster’s sauce made with sliced bananas, caramelized in a buttery brown sugar glaze, and whipped topping.
  • Berry Berry Brioche French Toast layers blueberries and strawberry topping with a luscious dusting of powdered sugar and whipped topping.
  • Peaches & Cream Brioche French Toast combines sweetened sliced peaches, honey-roasted pecans and vanilla cream drizzle with a dollop of whipped topping.


 And of course, there’s the add-ons if you need a little more for breakfast. You can order the Brioche French Toast alone or with an IHOP Combo including two eggs, optional choice of crispy bacon, pork sausage links or a grilled ham slice, along with hash browns. (I mean that’s why you go to IHOP, right? All the other stuff you get?) 

 I will say that the Bananas Foster Brioche French Toast was really delicious and we all fought to finish the last bite. The Peaches and Cream was good and was a much lighter dish even with the pecans. Suprisingly, my peaches were served cold so I figured this will be a great dish on a really warm day rather than when I’m hankering for something rich and cozy. While we didn’t have a chance to try the Berry Berry version this go-around, it totally would be a great try next time we come in.

 I mean we’ve been coming for decades (really.) 


Don’t forget you can share your Brioche French Toast experience and win a IHOP for a year! Here’s how!

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.ihop.com.  Follow IHOP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ihop.



5 Reasons Why You Should Try White Cloud Diapers

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Try-it Tuesdays:

 This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud Diapers. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When you have your second child, everything is different. You don’t feel compelled to read the baby books, ask every friend their recommendation or stalk the Internet trying to find the best choices for your child. Your first one was your “practice” and you’ve already spent the time, so you normally just go with whatever you did with the first one. I know when I had my second, there was no question of what brand I was going to use for her diapers.  Not necessarily because it was the best choice, but it’s just what we were familiar with. 

 So when I had the opportunity to try out a new brand of diapers called and then discuss the brand with some other moms, I thought it might be time to consider something different and it was way past time for a playdate. 


Taking advantage of the spring weather (and unfortunately a good bit of wind), we met at the park so we could keep the kids entertained while we did some diaper talk.  We fed the kids some snacks and did a little oohing and ahhing at how cute all our babies were and then got to business. 

The “business” included a few games (think baby shower fun) to get us all familiar with each other and White Cloud Diapers. I know I was reminded at how hard a baby has to work to take down a baby bottle in a little mom vs. mom contest. (I’d share that photo, but it just wasn’t a cute shot at all!) Then I had the chance to meet some new ladies who had driven more than three hours to be there for a our playdate. (That’s committment!) 

But admist all the fun, we also spent some time doing our “doodie” of checking out White Cloud Diapers. And since I’m all about sharing my “try-it out” on Tuesdays, I wanted to let you know what I learned!

5 Reasons Why You Should Try White Cloud Diapers: 

1. My daughter has sensitive skin, so I love that White Cloud Diapers are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

2. White Cloud diapers have a special ultra-absorbent inner core that wicks away moisture to help keep babies dry and comfortable and the stretchy sides have secure fit so no accidental leakage. (And no special wet surprise when you put your little one on your side!)

3. While my daughter is past the stage, I would have loved when she was in her early stage diapers to have a wetness indicator that changes color to let me know when the baby needs to be changed.


4. Don’t you get tired of Winnie the Pooh? I love that there are fun animal prints on the diaper so my daughter can point out the names of them as she learns them! 

5. Budget friendly is my favorite word and White Cloud Diapers are available around 30 percent cheaper than brand name diapers. (See for yourself!)

Diapering can be one of the biggest expenses in a family’s weekly budget and a great performing diaper is a must-have for parents. In order to make this affordable,  has reintroduced their premium line of White Cloud Diapers to address the needs of today’s busy parents.

White Cloud Diapers provide your baby the highest quality diaper with superior leakage protection, exceptional softness and great fit. White Cloud Diapers are available exclusively at Walmart, where you can find low prices everyday on all your family’s needs.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of #WhiteCloudDiapers.

Get Your Pass: How to Be a Chick-Fil-A VIP

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Food Fridays:

After THIS week, I wanted to share something that just made me smile. Food often does, so that’s why I write about it, take photos of it, talk about it and eat it often. 

This little adventure though was a little different than our normal trip to Chick-Fil-A. I wasn’t just a customer; I was a VIP. And best of all, you can be too! Here’s how: 
A girlfriend of mine handed me these “backstage” passes for an All-Access Tour of the local Chick-Fil-A. She said that her kiddos loved it and it was cool to see what CFA does  behind the “magic curtain.” So of course, I had to go. 

On our way out of town, we stopped at the Chick-Fil-A in Grapevine for lunch and our “tour.” Since my kids would eat CFA for every meal of the day, I knew they would love it too. We ordered our normal meal and showed them the pass. With a smile they told us to enjoy our meal and when we were done, they would be happy to escort us. 

Of course, that got me thinking about why I cared out the tour. Would I be as excited at just any fast-food joint. Not at all. But it was Chick-Fil-A and “I Love Chick-Fil-A.” And after my tour I was going to find out exactly why. 

First it was impertative we start with a little history lesson about how CFA became CFA. Then as we approached the kitchen door, we were asked to put on shoe covers so we wouldn’t spread germs and also slip on the floor in the kitchen. Unfortunately I was told is that I couldn’t take any shots of my backstage tour, so I don’t have any photos to share. But I will tell you that the 15-minute tour was worth it just to see the CFA logo drawn in sugar and to learn that CFA is the biggest customer of Sunkist Lemons. (It would have made the cutest photo!)

Then we took a gander at their side items, ingredients and what products they used to make many of their customer favorites, especially the kids meal items (which we purchase at least once a week) and score a free cookie coupon (the best chocolate chip cookies ever.) Next we were able to see the feature presentation, the cooking of that amazing chicken with the family recipe that has made CFA one of the most successful quick-service restaurants. As a finale, my son was able to create his own family-recipe ice cream cone from the machine (it’s not ice milk, people) and go to the play area to enjoy his dessert and a little play time with his sister. (Remember, when you’re four, this is all a pretty big deal.)


After our experience I just thought about how cool the experience was. And even more so, how it really made us even more fans of the food. So much so, I decided I needed to highlight just a few of the reasons 

WHY I LOVE CHICK-FIL-A 

1.  That chicken. OMG. My first CFA was not until college and only then did I understand why people stood in line for just a chicken sandwich.
2.  Chick-Fil-A sauce is the stuff that dreams are made out of (I only wish they sold it in a bottle!) 
3.  Drive through service that is friendly, quick and done with a smile – no matter which one I go to!
4.  Huge condiment spread. The Reos are condiment people so the fact that there is a station that’s neat and tidy and anticipates all my needs, I love. 
5.  Sticky placemats for the kids to keep them from eating off the table. (Had to be a mom that made that suggestion.) 
6.  Hello, another condiment!?! And ketchup reigns supreme for my husband. Plus, dip-accessible containers. (Why does anyone use those packets anymore?)
7.  My son’s favorite place to eat. I can always ensure I have a perfectly behaved son if I so much as dangle the idea of the “Cowplace” as a treat. (I’m not above incentive programs or bribery:) 
8.  Playground Sneaker Keeper to keep all the kids organized and hopefully, from coming home with the wrong ones. 
9.  Everyone loves the cow. I mean come on. That’s a gimme. 
10. Anything that makes my husband smile like this makes my “I Love List…” In this case, it was the ice cream. (Perfect to go with that cookie!)
11. Playground equipment that is INSIDE and allows for toddlers to play. Part of the reason CFA won me over is that I could take my 18-month old and she could play without falling down in the dirt or going beyond her means.
12. Those cookies are THAT good. So good that I ordered them for my son’s birthday party…too bad the kids didn’t eat them because the adults had already snagged them all. 

So you want to be a Chick-Fil-A VIP? Then all you have to do is ASK! Just give a call to your local CFA and see if they are doing the “All-Access Backstage Tour.” I know the Grapevine location said they invite everyone to be a VIP! And if you are a real CFA fan, they even do a 90-minute tour of the corporate office in Atlanta! 

They’ll leave the fryer on for you. 

Disclaimer: This was a nice family trip to Chick-Fil-A. It has nothing to do with any political, religious or other views, but just that my family likes to eat CFA. A lot. And that the Chick-Fil-A Sauce must have something addictive in it because I can’t get enough of that stuff. Ever. And I totally paid for every bit of what we ate and Chick-Fil-A had no idea I was going to blog about it either. So how’s that for honesty and transparency? 



Date Night: Party for Two at BJs Restaurant

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Want-it Wednesdays:


Something I’ve wanted for a long time and don’t get near enough of are meals with JUST the two of us. Between our busy schedules and two kids under 5, dinner is normally at home, in a rush and only about 15 minutes long or when the 18-month old rises from her seat and begins to touch her dirty hands all over the kitchen. So when we had the chance to score a DATE NIGHT with just the two of us at a local BJs Brewhouse in Arlington, I was thrilled (even if that meant “date night” was an early dinner before the kids got from school!) 

Since we felt like we were sneaking off during a school night, we wanted to go somewhere casual and could suit both of our taste AND our budget, so BJs was a great fit. We hadn’t been there in ages, so we figured it was time to try it out. We were greeted by a friendly staff and a warm atmosphere, helping us to relax and enjoy this special moment even if it was only going to be about an hour. After springing for two handcrafted beers (I couldn’t resist the sound of the Brewmaster’s Reserve Blonde Lager), we took on the huge menu to figure out “What’s for dinner?” 

Being that we were on a “date,” we figured we’d go all out and try the Party for Two, an appropriate choice for this party of two – complete with two soups or salads, any medium signature pizza and a “pizookie.” Sounded like a plan that could make us both happy!


To start, my husband opted for Clam Chowder and I ordered the Tomato Mozarella Salad. Both were delicious and made me crave the next course even more. But we were going to have to agree on a pizza – at least we thought. While our helpful waiter let us know we could choose to order our pizza half and half, we both eyed one of the new flavors, the Spicy Meatball – complete with meatballs, jalapenos and Italian sausage. I knew he was really craving it, so I conceeded (or at least I let him think I took one for the team.) 


Mama Mia! The Spicy Meatball did not disapoint at all and I even ate one more slice them him. We would have eaten it all, but decided to box it up for later if there was anyway we were going to eat this PIZOOKIE thing. I had heard about it, but to be honest, it just seemed like a warm chocolate chip cookie and ice cream (a relatively normal desert), so why did people rave about it? 

I was about to find out why. 

There were actually like seven different Pizookies to choose from, but since this was our first one, we went for the original Bj’s Famous Pizookie. A few minutes later when it arrived at the table, we dove in like two kids on the playground. 


…And we finished that baby up in no time flat. It was honestly one of the best desserts I had devoured in a long time. It was just simple goodness without too much of the “other’ stuff. I mean when something is perfectly good, you don’t need anything else to make it better (although I will be back for the Pizookie Trio so I can decide that statement is true this time for myself!) 

When the check came (after we let a button out on our pants), the look on my husband’s face was priceless. “Wow, did they forget something on here?” 

Curious I took a look and everything we had ordered was there – it was just that for for the Party for Two and our two beers we had ordered (as well as the handcrafted rootbeer I had to take home), was just around $30. Now THAT is budget-friendly. And to think, if we hadn’t splurged for beers, we would have spent around $20 for a delicious three-course meal, great service and somewhere we look forward to frequenting again – soon. 

Maybe this time we will bring the kids…maybe. 


Remember, the PARTY FOR TWO for only $19.95 is available NATIONWIDE now until April 29, so you need to make plans now to visit your local BJs Restaurant to score this great deal!

Find your closest BJs Restaurant location, menu options and more here: 




This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Bj’s Restaurants, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #Bjsrestaurants http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO. 

Pure Results with NEW Pure Barre Arlington

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Disclaimer: I received a trial class in exchange for this review. However, the opinions expressed here are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

Try-it Tuesday:

I’ve tried a LOT of workouts in my journey to be healthy. Some of them, like my trip to CitySurf Fitness and Politicians Pole Dancing took a lot of coordination. So I was relieved when I found out that there was a Pure Barre opening in my neck of the woods. (The same of the neck of the woods that is home to every major restaurant chain in the universe all down one road and scored in the top 20 as one of the Fatest Cities in America.) 


And the thought of moving like a ballerina and flexing my leg looked pretty easy, so I was gonna be like the next Black Swan. 


Oh, did I have a lot to learn. 

 While Pure Barre does mirror many movements used by ballerinas with the use of the barre, it is so much more. Considered an “intelligent exercise” (because smart women like me do it…not really, but the idea made me laugh), the PBT is a total body workout using small isometric movements set to contemporary music to keep you paced while you burn. 

 Oh, yes, you will feel the burn. But in a good way. (Like the you-know-change-is-happening-kind-of-way!)

Best of all, results are said to happen within 10 classes. (Now that’s good enough for me!) 

…Read more about my Pure Barre Arlington experience here!

 Pure Barre Arlington
2500 NE Green Oaks, Suite 128
Arlington, Texas 76006
817.652.2920
Website


Ready to can the old sweat shirt before you workout? 
No problems, I’ve got a suggestion for you and it comes straight to your door!

I am an affiliate of Ellie.

Rolling in the Deep: Jiu Jitsu Done Family Style

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Try-It Tuesday:

Being pinned down on the ground is normally not the way I like to workout (at least not most the time). However, when it involves burning up to 600-800 calories, teaching discipline AND spending time with my kids, I can definitely be convinced.
Don’t worry, that’s not me in the middle since someone had to
take the photo.

And that’s exactly how I found myself at the Independent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in south Arlington. Surrounded by people of all ages, I was able to explore the whole new world of jiu jitsu. Opening its doors last October, the staff (who also work as firemen and other community roles by day) has more than 60 years of combined experience that allow them to focus on not just the sport of jiu jitsu, but also how it can arm women with self-defense skills and help children deal with the ever-growing issue of bullying.

The guy on top? It was his first day and his first class, too. 
While I was very hesitant to get into the thick of things, I quickly learned you just had to get in there and do it. From the moment you give respect to the mat (which you do every time you enter the mat area), I felt immediately comfortable and safe as I listened intently to the instructors about how to perform the proper techniques to defend myself by taking the “fight to the ground.” I also learned that the focus of the practice wasn’t just the technique, but also by empowering its students to build confidence, discipline and awareness, I was also arming myself with skills that could prevent me from being put in compromising situations as well as how to protect myself if I was.

Be careful if you see me in a dark alley…I can take care of my own
(with some more practice, of course.)
But what I was most impressed about at the studio was the environment and opportunity it provided not only me, but also for my kids. Bullying isn’t necessarily a new issue for kids to have to deal with, but it certainly is a growing one as kids find new ways to hurt their peers like through texting and internet. As a mom of two young children, it’s definitely a topic I have to deal with; teaching to not bully as well as how to handle themselves appropriately in the case that they are a victim. And just like any parent, I’d like to provide them all the skills necessary to make good decisions and to be the best that they could be. That is also the same mission as the Independent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu studio’s family classes.

Learning jiu jitsu as a family can teach your kids how to take care of themselves
(and you if you don’t attend with them…just kidding.)
That’s right, game night has changed in 2013 – now we have family jiu jitsu! It’s actually such an incredible concept, as parents are allowed to take classes with their children to not just understand what their child is learning, but also to engage with their child as they learn and grow together in their practice. With parents working so hard to juggle family time, workout time, and the other fuss of the day, Independent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu allows the entire family to benefit without adding one more tasks you need to try to fit into those already crammed-backed schedules.
If you’re still scared that “fighting” is not your thing, first, understand – it’s all about protection! Second, I invite you to go into any of their classes (see schedule below) and see exactly how comfortable, fun and empowering the experience can be. And if you’re ready to get your grapple on, then give them a call to set up your membership. Best of all, if you mention this article, you get half off membership when you sign up.

Independent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
7201 South Cooper Street Ste 111
Arlington, Texas 76001
817.475.0500
IBJJA Class Schedule 

 Monday:
Kids/Family 5:45-6:30pm
Adult Basic 6:45-7:45pm
Adult Advanced 7:45-8:45pm

Tuesday:
Adult Basic 6:45-7:45pm
Krav Maga 7:45-9:00pm

Wednesday:
Kids/Family 5:45-6:30pm
Adult Basic 6:45-7:45pm
Adult Advanced 7:45-8:45pm

Thursday:
Adult Basic 6:45-7:45pm
Adult advanced 
No Gi 7:45-8:45pm


Saturday:
Kids/Family 10:30-11:30am
Adult Basic 11:30-12:30pm
Open Mat 12:30-2:00pm

You Got the Look: New Gym Staples You Need

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Me Mondays:

When it comes to going to going to the gym, there are only a few things you need to score a great workout:

  • A great pair of shoes

  • Comfortable and cute workout wear

  • A sports bra with the right amount of support

  • And for me, an upbeat workout list


    • But what do you do with all those other things you have to keep up with like a towel, water, your id, keys and your phone? I’ve gone through a myriad of bags to keep up with everything, but when it comes down to it, I don’t need a big gym bag. However, I do need something to hold all my stuff, especially when you don’t have any pockets. Presenting the Go Caddy. 


    Designed to minimize what you carry, the Go Caddy is the ideal bag to accompany you to the gym, a long walk, going to the park, a bike ride, a ball game and even when traveling. It holds just what you need with a comfortable strap and allows you to carry the bare essentials – handsfree, so you are able to do what you need without a big bag or backpack to keep up with. 


     Buy the Go Caddy online and at some retail locations across the U.S. 

     Water is also one of the staple items that you should have with you no matter where you are, but especially when you are doing hot yoga, spin, pilates or a good run. Unfortunately, depending on where you are filling up that bottle, it may not be the tastiest or cleaniest of the water. However, did you know that with the help of a special piece of charcoal, you can create some of the cleanest water imaginable? 

    Created by the innovative designers black + blum, check out the the eau good filter water bottle. The bottle uses a filter system with binchotan active charcoal, which has been used in Japan as a water purifier since the 17th century. It reduces chlorine, balances the pH and adds minerals to the water. The unique tab on the side hold the charcoal firmly in place and can be squeezed to release for easy washing. The bottle looks like glass, but is actually made of BPA-free tritan, a crystal clear and very sturdy plastic. After about 6 months, the charcoal can be recycled for many uses including removing odors from shoes, the refrigerator, etc. or sprinkled in the garden to help plants grow. 

    I’ll be honest, you’ll definitely have people looking at your water bottle trying to figure out what’s in it, but rest assured you’ll have the freshest look and taste. 

    DISCLAIMER:
    I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

    Food Fridays: Wiener Power at Hoffman Hots {Review}

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    Food Fridays:

    First of all, I’m not a wiener-kind of girl…

    WAIT – Let me rephrase – I don’t really like hot dogs. I’ll score one at a Rangers game about once a year and then I’m good until next season. However, when I asked my son lately where he’d like to eat BESIDES Chick-Fil-A, he responded with “hot dogs.” Since he loves going over “The Big D Bridge” (Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge) and I couldn’t bare the thought of hitting up the Sonic, we made the best of both worlds work and hit up Hoffman Hots.

    I’ll tell you I wasn’t quite sure what to expect since I had done no research except what Google had done to get me there, we parked in the dirt parking lot of the up-and-coming (still very much coming) Trinity Groves and made our way in.


    Wow – it was crowded and only on a Tuesday at this kitchy,  little diner spot. But we bellied up to the line and made our way through to make our first order for a Oreo Milk Shake (we decided if we were going to enjoy this experience, it was going to include the whole enchilada.) We then checked out the creatively concise menu and chose to get a little of it all:

    • Asian dog
    • Sweet and smokey dog
    • good ‘ole plain
    • mac n cheese
    • tator tots
    • asian slaw 
    • Triple XXX rootbeers
    • Totalling around $40 (these better be good dogs!)
    Seating did not come easy and thankfully, I had only the four-year old who could sit on the stool booths along the wall we’d claimed (babies in carried or boosters, this might not be the place for you). It didn’t take too long and we had our food. Let the fun begin. 

    All in all, it was good. My son was excited to eat the mac, which tasted like a run-of-the-mill Velveta kind of stuff, classic tator tots and an ok Asian slaw. The dogs were the standouts in the lineup and they should be – with the Sweet and Smokey claiming the prize for the reason I’ll go back to this place #1. Made with a kielbasa, their proprietary bun like you’ve never had, a sweet glaze and a gouda-pimento cheese with bacon, it was really good stuff. Like the kind of stuff you drive to when you want to be really bad and eat a good hot dog. 

    When we return I can’t wait to try out the outdoor benches and perhaps a real beer and maybe just the big kids next time. It’s fun and worth the drive to see and taste where Dallas is going in the future!

    Hoffman Hots
    340 Singleton
    Dallas, Texas 75212

    (214) 760-9977
    http://www.hofmannhotdogs.com

    5 Quick Tips to Making Family Count TODAY

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    Want-it Wednesday:

    This Want-it Wednesday, all I want is a BREAK from the crazy. And of course when mama’s crazy, so is the rest of the family.
    And then I found her and it – at least a way to close down the crazy and to make our family make those valuable moments count. 

    Susan Sachs Lipman, founder of slowfamilyonline.com, writer for Christian Science Monitor‘s Modern Parenthood, is also author of Fed up with Frenzy, which teaches parents how to incorporate Slow Parenting into their family’s hectic lives and trade in frenzy for quality family time. She shared a few quick tips to help me take a deep breath through special techniques and tips like:

    1. Slowing Down the Morning Rush- Instead of battling the busy drop off rush at your child’s school, take time to park the car a few blocks away and walk your child to school. This strengthens family connection and starts the day off in a relaxing and peaceful way.

    2. Make Meal Time Meaningful- Dinner is one of the few times families get to spend time together during the day. Make the most out of dinnertime by picking a family question to share, for example, “What’s the funniest thing that happened during your day?” Families can also create fun bonding time by picking recipes, and preparing meals together throughout the week.

    3. Say No to More Things- Parents don’t have to serve on every school committee and children should not sign up for a lot of activities. More pleasure comes from devotion to one thing at a time and free play, rather than organized activity.

    4. Give Your Electronics The Day Off- Call for a family “day of rest” from technology. This can be incredibly restorative, to give full attention to your loved ones. Even cutting out a 30 minute TV show and substituting it with a family walk or game can add joy to your life.

    5. Do a Fun Activity or Craft- Many wonderful activities like making sock puppets, pinecone bird feeders, or singing around a campfire have gotten lost in the hustle and bustle of our overly scheduled lives. These fun activities can bond families and create lifelong memories.

    Source: etsy.com via Cherae on Pinterest



    While I’m rarely the one to “take time out,” this book has empowered me to be a better role model for my kids to take time to making it count. It’s about honoring life’s simple pleasures in the relatively short time we’re all here together. It’s about connecting to that part of ourselves and our families that somehow got lost in the shuffle of our busy lives.


    Slow down the frenzy. Enjoy the family. 

    Fed Up Frenzy
    Susan Sachs Lipman
    Sourcebooks
    ISCLAIMER:
    I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)

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

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    Food Fridays:

    I have a confession. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Source: fatflush.com via Desiree on Pinterest

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


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

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

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

    DISCLAIMER:
    I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC’s 16 CFR Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)




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