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4 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

July 1, 2020 By Autumn Rose Reo 11 Comments

Don’t let busy days (and nights) get in the way of keeping your healthy eating on track… Even if you need a little something extra like this 4 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream. Fiber One makes your #snaccidents be good to eat and good for you.

Thanks to Acorn Influence for this yummy collaboration!

Isn’t it funny that moms spend all that time scoping out Pinterest and creating beautiful meals plans for the family – and don’t normally end up eating any of them?

With all the pick ups, drop offs, appointments, loads of laundry, and dishes, and making dinner for the family, there’s never really a time to sit down for a meal. It’s always on the way out the door, in the car, or after everyone has gone to sleep. Besides, when’s the last time you tried to eat meatloaf and vegetables with one hand while typing on the computer?

So I resort to snacks…thankfully none of them are shaped like fish or dinosaurs. And being that I want to try to make healthy decisions, but still want it to taste good, Fiber One Bars to the rescue. Whether I’m in need of some protein, a middle-of-the-day snack, or a sweet treat, there are several options with added fiber to keep my taste buds and digestive system in check. Having these buried in a bag, drawer, or the back of the pantry (away from my kids’ little fingers), has saved me many times from not just going hungry, but making sure I don’t head for something that I’ll regret again and again later.

When you bite into one, you never would think that you can get a box of something this good and for only around $3 a box at Walmart!

Full of fiber and flavor, Fiber One bars make a good choice for any time of the day (especially when you’re trying to get things done!)

Easy, No Churn 4 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

But with summer in full swing, there’s nothing better than a deliciously sweet bowl of dreamy creamy ice cream. So taking the best of both worlds of strawberry cheesecake and ice cream, here’s an easy recipe for 4 ingredient strawberry cheesecake ice cream that will have you looking forward to #snaccidents again and again. And with only 4 ingredients and almost no work (you don’t even need an ice cream maker.)

While you do use whipping cream for this summerific treat, choose a lowfat/nonfat condensed milk. Using strawberry pie filling also helps to make this ice cream next level, fresh or frozen strawberries can be substituted if you want to add more fruit and less sweetness. With just a few hours, in the freezer, your #snaccident can be transformed into a life-changing snack experience.

4 Ingredient Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com

Print Recipe

Description

An easy recipe for strawberry cheesecake ice cream with four ingredients featuring Fiber One Bars.

Scale

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup whipping cream
1 can low fat condensed milk (14 oz)
1 cup strawberry pie filling, 1 half can
1–2 Fiber One Strawberry Cheesecake Bars, crumbled

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Father’s Day: Donuts for Dad Printable {Giveaway for Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker}

June 2, 2020 By Autumn Rose Reo 62 Comments

Holidays seems to be coming in fast, so make sure not to miss this one including a sweet treat for dad! Here’s an easy way to celebrate Father’s Day with a free printable and recipe.

Thanks to Hamilton Beach for keeping the caffeine flowing by providing the Hamilton Beach Scoop CoffeeMaker and sponsoring this giveaway.

To say that coffee has been our family’s lifeline for the last few weeks is an understatement.

I just thought we liked coffee – until my husband was at home full-time due in early March. After just a few days, I realized toilet paper wasn’t going to be what I was going to have to search and stock up on. It was coffee, especially in those little cups. I mean do the math…I wasn’t going to keep them in stock or afford them on the way he was sucking them down!

I normally sipped (and microwaved) 1-2 cups of coffee a day and with the new workload I was adding another to make it through the day. But once our home became the corporate headquarters for both our jobs, along with our kids’ classroom, lunch room and gym. To make our schedules all work together as much as possible, Dad’s office took over the media room upstairs and my office directly below his. Beginning at the light of day, I would hear the coffee pot go off in the kitchen, then multiple times up and down the stairs as it went to refuel in between his 6+ zoom meetings and conference calls, until around dinner time…”If he only he had a breakroom,” I thought.

Show Them We Appreciate: Donut What We Would Do Without You {Printable}

So with Father’s Day coming up (and no idea what to get for dad), the kids and I decided to create our own break room upstairs, stocked with all the staples for “dad’s breakroom.” Any good coffee station would need a durable, single-cup coffee maker with the extra tall ones so dad could fill up his big insulatable cup) and of course, donuts. The kids were excited to add their creative part to the donuts (using this easy-t0-make, easy-to-decorate recipe, especially when you can’t get delivery.)

The Hamilton Beach Scoop was the ideal coffee maker for this secondary coffee station. This uniquely designed coffee maker brews ground coffee in less than 90 seconds, so ideal for those times in between calls. And with two brew options sizes including eight ounces or a 14-ounce travel mug as well as regular or bold settings, he can fill ‘er up without trying to wedge his cup or brew two cups to full it up. What I really loved was that without the use of pods, K-cup®** pods or disposable filters, he could just use his own coffee blends and scoop it up directly with the scoop that goes into the pot and press brew. That’s it. No directions or extra cups necessary.

The coffee maker selection was the easy part…now what?

I didn’t have time or the ingredients to make a scratch-made gourmet donut recipe. However, the kids really really wanted to make them (actually, they just wanted to decorate them!) Thankfully, I found several recipes online that require only 2 ingredients to make donuts. (Yes, just two ingredients and they were two I had.) While they weren’t going to knock Krispy Kreme out of business, any time you’re covering something with sugar and then douse in sprinkles, it’s going to be good – especially when you’re pairing donuts with coffee. (I’m hoping to share a stellar donut recipe very soon after a little more practice, so keep your fingers crossed.)

Of course, a nice break room needed a sign to bring it all together, so we created this cute printable! Printing it off on 8×11.5 inch paper, we slid it in a flier holder and it was ready! (Of course, you can change the printout for what size you need.)

(Click to Download)

And that was it! With many of us at home working for a while, this idea is perfect to keep you both sane or if you have a house guest, this is the ultimate way in show some real hospitality. And of course, this little station is made for Father’s Day, so greet dad with a special way to say “thank you” and “we appreciate you” for all those hours of work every day.

Hamilton Beach is being very generous to help make this day memorable by giveaway one Hamilton Beach Scoop Coffeemaker to a lucky follower!

Donuts for Dad {Giveaway for Hamilton Beach Coffeemaker}

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Three Tips to Choosing the Right Urgent Care for Kids

December 12, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo 1 Comment

Are the kids catching more than the holiday spirit…From flu to falls, here are Three Tips to Choosing the Right Urgent Care for Kids and why we love Children’s Health PM Pediatrics!

This post is sponsored by our partners at Children’s Health PM Urgent Care.

Nothing is worse than watching your kid in pain.

From having a cold, breaking a bone or for the times you don’t know exactly what’s happening to your little one, you want nothing more than to get your kids healthy and quick.

Unfortunately, it’s never convenient – it’s late at night, halfway through that LONG meeting or when you can’t even think about getting into your pediatrician’s office.

So in an act of desperation – you end up thinking up all the ways you can make it better – from calling friends, googling ideas or even thinking of how you might “bump” into the doctor at the supermarket in hopes they just have their doctor’s bag in hand.

Don’t worry – we’ve all been there and have all done it.

But when looking for Urgent Care for kids you really need to be considering:

Where will my kid be treated with the best care possible?
How quick can I get my kid in?
Where will my kid feel comfortable so we can make this bad day a little bit better?

Where will my kid be treated with the best care possible?
While there are plenty of Urgent Care options in DFW, when it comes to kids, you really should only consider an Urgent Care that is designed just for kids. They are specially trained to provide care for kids – and there is always a pediatrician on site.

Dr. Harita Katragadda, Stefany Alvarado-Paramedic, Rachelle Smouse-RN(Office Manager), Jessica Porter-receptionist at Children’s Health Urgent Care (left to right).

From sports injuries, infections, fractures, flu and all the other stuff in between, with a staff of board-certified pediatricians and pediatric emergency physicians, Children’s Health PM Urgent Care is ready to serve your family. Plus with onsite digital x-ray, EKG and labs, there’s a lot that can happen here. And in the case that it can’t, this team can get your child where they need to be – and quickly.

(Photo credit: Children’s Health Urgent Care Flower Mound)

How quick can I get my kid in?
It’s never planned to be sick or hurt, so it’s going to be inconvenient. It’s about providing a service when your pediatrician isn’t available but your kid needs medical attention. Children’s Health PM Urgent Care is open 365 days a year AND from noon – midnight (so the times that really do count!) And since families are always busy, you don’t want to just sit there for hours in a lobby, hoping to get in sometime. With both an online reservation system, guests can check in to hold a spot in line and avoid as much wait time as possible.

Where will my kid feel comfortable to make this bad day the best it can be?
So it’s never a great day when a child is sick or hurt…but when there are pediatric experts who make it a better day with experience working with kids, you know you’re in the right spot. Especially when that right spot goes even further to make it a better day – like familiar faces on the TV screen, happy murals on the wall, and quite possibly a popsicle in the fridge – you know you’ve found the right urgent care that really does care for your kid (and you).

Now that Children’s Health and PM Pediatrics, the nation’s largest provider of specialized pediatric urgent care, have joined forces to open Children’s Health PM Urgent Care – they’re making it even easier to get the care you need, when you need it, where you need it and how you need it. They now have locations in McKinney, The Colony and Flower Mound.

While I would never wish anything bad upon your kiddos to get to experience Children’s Health PM Urgent Care, I know that when something happens – and with kids it often does – Children’s Health PM Urgent Care is there to help make it better.

My first experience with Children’s
My first real experience with the Children’s Health commitment to care was actually before I had a kid at all.

For most first-time mamas, the delivery experience at the hospital includes an OB, a few nurses, a few family / friends with a lot of anxiety followed by pain followed by happiness and then 2-3 days later you go home with your bundle of joy…

For me, that wasn’t the case at all.

After an 18 hour delivery, my tired state (I wasn’t human at this point) looked at a 15+ person team of doctors that once my OB delivered my son, immediately rushed my brand new bundle of joy through the doors of my hospital to the adjoining hospital at Children’s Medical Center (now Children’s Health.)

There, for the next almost month, my husband and I lived at the hospital waiting, hoping and praying our son with a Congenital Heart Defect would finally get to go home with us. During this time, we grew close to the Children’s staff throughout the round-the-clock care. Needless to say, when we finally were released from Children’s on that hot summer day in July, I cried. Hard. Not just because I was finally getting to bring my baby home…but because I was leaving my Children’s family.

11 years later, I realized I never left my Children’s family. They’re always there. For us, we still visit the hospital once a year for my son’s annual heart check-up, and now I know that through Children’s Health PM Urgent Care locations they’ll be there when we need them to help with unexpected illness or injury.

That’s the way it is at Children’s and that’s why Children’s is our trusted health care provider – planned and not so planned.

McDonalds Gives Back #McGiveBack {Giveaway}

November 23, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo 3 Comments

McDonalds gets into the spirit with its #McGiveBack campaign this holiday benefiting the community with Pennies for Pounds, RMHC’s Scholars Scholarship, and throughout the year.

Thank you to McDonalds of North Texas for giving to the community and this sponsored post.

‘Tis the season for giving and the Golden Arches is giving out more than Happy Meals and Big Macs this holiday.

December 3 may be Giving Day, but McDonald’s works to give more throughout the holidays and the rest of the year.

Pennies for Pounds and Pennies Per Happy Meal

Those legendary french fries always bring a smile to your face, this November you have reason to smile even more with Pennies for Pounds. For every pound of french fries sold, McDonald’s in North Texas will donate two cents to the Ronald McDonald’s House Charities. And new this year, with every Happy Meal sold, one cent will be donated to RMHC.

While many families thankfully don’t have to be impacted directly by the RMHC, you never know when you will. For instance, when Jackson was born with a CHD, as new parents we spent months at Children’s Medical Center (now Children Health.) While we were just a few miles from the hospital, there were parents just like us in the Heart Center, going through the same as us, that were too far from home and would sleep on recliners and bathe in a hospital bathroom.

One family we met from South America did this for months just hoping to get the best care for their children. However, this happens way more than you think it does, picking up their lives to care for their kids. Many times parents would leave their job to be with their child at the hospital or even worst, families were split, with one parent at the hospital, and another parent at home to take care of the other kids or keep at least one job. Already serving 38,000 families since its opening, the RMHC helps families like these to stay together during times like these by offering a housing for families with 52 private bedrooms and six transplant apartments. Additionally, the House contains everything to make life possible when families are going through so much at a hospital including:

multiple playrooms for kids of all ages and interests
a library
media room
craft room
Chapel
meditation garden
outdoor play areas
Additionally two large communal kitchens and dining room provide opportunities for the families to share the evening meal, which is provided 3 times a day by community volunteers, or to prepare their own food if they choose.

While the RMH is a wonderful place it takes much more to operate an offering of this size, it’s the hundreds of volunteers that support the RMHD’s annual operations and fundraising activities to serving families at the House, preparing meals, and hosting organized activities that keep life going when some much of your world can seem to be falling apart. While families are asked to give just $15 per night to stay, no one is ever turned away.

Amazon Smile

During the holidays, when you’re clicking on buy on Amazon, start purchase at smile.amazon.com to generate AmazonSmile donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater North Texas Inc. (Doesn’t cost you a thing!)

This month when you roll in the drive thru window or come in to grab a quick bite, you can feel a little extra that McDonald’s is giving more to the community. Because of your generosity, since 2016, McDonald’s of North Texas has given more than $1.2M to local RMHC efforts – providing families with the support and resources they need while their children are receiving treatment in local hospitals or health facilities.

Here’s how we’re saying thank you for your giving: a McDonald’s Gift Card!

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5 Holiday Reminders Every Mom Needs

November 1, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo 76 Comments

Christmas is hard work. Take out the stress with Happy Cards and let the elves do the dirty work for a change.

Thanks to the elves at Happy Cards for sharing this sponsored post how we can all get a little more happy this holiday.

If you have scissors in your hands as your wrap one of the countless numbers of gifts under the tree or plotting the demise of your “Elf on the Shelf” while you prop it for the daily antic before your children wake up, then you need to stop.

I repeat: put down the scissors or the Elf. (Or in my case, both of them since the Elf was about to go down.)

For most mamas, Christmas is one of the best (and worst) times of the year. You may not admit it (at least not aloud), but while you love those uploading your annual Santa’s photos with the kids for everyone to see, Christmas is hard work.

Yes, I said it.

If Cheesecake Factory, Saks Fifth Avenue off 5th, Panera Bread, Sephora, SpaFinder.com, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Lord & Taylor makes you happy, then just keep reading.

But before calling me a Grinch or a Scrooge, understand I love this time of year with beautiful decorations on everything from the fireplace to the mailbox, the look on the kids faces on Christmas morning when they unwrap the gifts, and all the other magic that comes with the holidays. But mama, you put in some serious work to make it all happen and you weren’t always smiling when you did it. Oh, I know I wasn’t…far from it.

View this post on Instagram

My ❤️is so full! Our first Christmas in our new neighborhood and carolers came with cookies and song. When I saw this moment at the door, the tears started flowing. It was like the moment the Grinch’s heart grew 10x. Pretty sure all my Christmas wishes have been granted. I’m a lucky lady. (Go to my Instastories to hear.) . . . #Christmas #carolers #holiday #dfw #dallasmoms #arlingtontx #viridiandfw #viridian #thisisarlington

A post shared by mamachallenge | Autumn Reo (@mamachallenge) on Dec 16, 2018 at 5:55pm PST

There’s nothing fun about interrupting the very precious hours of sleep you get for almost a month just to give life to a red inanimate “elf” with a creative theme that your kids will laugh at for :10 seconds in the morning.

Look closely. Very closely to see what’s happening to this Elf.

There’s nothing fun about climbing all over the outside (and inside) of your house while putting yourself in danger to put up lights, just to take them down again a month later.

There’s nothing fun about trying to get just the right something for that someone and then bracing yourself when you have to be around them (even if you don’t really like them.)

But for most moms, they wouldn’t have it any other way. Even for those of us that actually have to purchase our own gifts, wrap them to put under the tree, write our kids or spouses name on them, and then act like we’re surprised on Christmas morning. (Or in some cases, not get anything at all in your stocking because if you don’t do it, no one will.)

However, we also know that nothing’s going to change and if we want the magic of Christmas to happen (and I know I’m not letting go of it), then we feel we have to do it. #MOMGUILT is real and we all make us feel like it’s what you have to do.

But there are a couple of things you can do to put the HO-HO-HO back in the holidays rather than the BOO-HOO-HOO.

We all need to remember the following:

No one is thinking why you didn’t coordinate your wrapping paper under the tree once they open the gift.
There is no mom award given at the end of the holidays for making it the best Christmas ever.
If you don’t make it to every Christmas event on the list, no one is going to know.
If you don’t send out Christmas cards this year, you can post a photo on Facebook and call it done. Or send an Easter card or try just writing a letter.
You don’t need to work so hard to find the right gift. Gift cards really do make people happy, so buy it and be done.

Yes, gift cards. I know trying to find the “right card” is hard enough…but with Happy Cards, you can alleviate all that. Just pick one of the many cards and the giftee can choose what they want to get…and quite possibly more than one present. They can enjoy their favorite restaurant, start on the house project they’ve been waiting to do, or even get their resolutions moving – all with the Happy Card!

Remember, what your family really wants is a mama that’s happy, rested and wants to enjoy Christmas. And honestly, so do I. So we’re happy the little elves at Happy Cards are sharing a $100 Happy Lady Happy Card for one lucky mama.

So what are you waiting for? Enter below.

It’s just a click to get one step closer to a service from being a Happy Mama with a Happy Lady card from Happy Cards. And you have until Dec. 24 at midnight to enter. That’s all you have to do. (We’ll that and whatever you still have on your Christmas list – that probably isn’t necessary either.)

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Let’s Go: Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase {Giveaway}

September 8, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

A road to upscale motorcars, fantastic food, and fun for the family is headed to the Four Seasons: Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase.

Park Place Motorcars for hosting this special event and this partnership.

I’ve been to plenty of car shows – some low-key, some cutting edge, and some fancy. But when you’re looking for the best in luxury, food and fun, you head to the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Las Colinas. While cars may be the headliner, the whole family will enjoy the event!

Cars at Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase

With more than $100 million worth of cars on display, the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase features several special vehicle displays:

Bentley is celebrating its 100th anniversary so you’ll definitely see this at the event.

And because Park Place represent some of the best names in cars, the New Car Concours will show Rolls-Royce, Maserati, McLaren, Bentley, Karma, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover.

The Collectors’ Concours, which is a juried showcase of rare classic, luxury, and supercars cars from private collectors on the 1st Fairway of the TPC, will be on display including:

- 1916 Stutz Bearcat
- 1936 Pierce Arrow
- 1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL
- 1965 Corvette Stingray
- 1966 Shelby GT350H Hertz Rent-a-Racer
- 1983 Ferrari 308 GTS

Club Car Expo will display on the 18th fairway and represents some of the best car clubs in North Texas, including:

Mercedes-Benz Club of America
Lamborghini Club of Dallas
Porsche Club of America – Maverick Region Corvette Legends of TX
McLaren Club
Jaguar Owners Association
Texas Shelby North Texas
Ferrari Club Dallas

Style at the Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase

The 2019 event will feature a Highland Park Village runway fashion show produced by Jan Strimple at 1:30 pm in the Porsche Luxury Lifestyle Pavilion. Alice + Olivia, St. John, Trina Turk and Theory will be showcased at the event. Immediately following the fashion show, Shane Walker, the Mad Hatter of Dallas, will judge the “Haute Hat” contest with ladies and gentleman competing for the title of Best Ladies Hat and Best Gentleman’s Hat. The winners will be announced during the awards presentation immediately after the contest from the Million Air Dallas stage.

Kid Fun at the Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase

Live entertainment will be featured from the outdoor Lexus Live Stage and in the tented, climate-controlled Porsche Luxury Lifestyle Pavilion. In addition, guests will enjoy pop up shops from luxury retailers, the Mercedes-Benz Beer Garden, and the Kid’s Zone featuring the North Texas Diecast Collectors Club’s interactive sixty-foot downhill Hot Wheels track, mini cars, a meet and greet with teen race car driver Kinzie Wilson and a soda pop truck.

Food at the Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase

Some of the best food in DFW will also be there! From Texas de Brazil, Fast Furious Grill, BellaTrino Pizzeria, SoCal Tacos, The Speedy Bean, Melt Ice Creams and Pecos Pete’s Natural Tea + Soda will be located throughout the venue. And even better – the Allie Beth Allman & Associates VIP lounge ($100 ticket) will feature samplings from some of Dallas’ top restaurants including The French Room, LAW, III Forks, Cool River, Dallas Chop House, Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, Oven and Cellar, Wicked Butcher, Outlaw Tap Room, Kai, Toulouse, Whiskey Cake, Texas de Brazil, Princi Italia, CRU Wine and Food Bar, Pacific Table, Cork & Pig Tavern, Make Your Life Sweeter, and Carlton Provisions. (SIGN.ME.UP.)

Best of all proceeds from the Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase benefit the Baylor Scott & White Irving Foundation. Park Place Dealerships has donated a vehicle to be raffled at the 3rd Annual Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase. Proceeds of the raffle will benefit Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center – Irving.

Details

Park Place Luxury and Supercar Showcase
September 28, 2019
10 am – 4 pm (rain or shine)

Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas
4400 North MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, TX 75038
website >>> Discount Code (10% off GA and VIP tickets): mamachallenge <<<

Tickets will be available for purchase at the gate on September 28:

VIP $125
General Admission (21+) $75, and Show Field (21 and under) $35.
Children under two years old are free.

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Kids and Cops

July 3, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Kids and Cops: Knowing and having a good relationship with your local police is important for growing up and living in the community.

Thank you for the event invitation and this sponsored post McDonald’s of North Texas.

“Stop it!…or that cop will get you!” I had muttered to my daughter one day as she didn’t listen to my instructions while attending a public event.

The officer that was within earshot distance and I had smiled at as I said the threat to my daughter had grinned, but later let me in on a little secret. He told me, while they loved the respect taught to police, but that having the kids be “afraid” of them made it harder to be help them in times of need.

The little nugget sat with me for a moment and made so much sense. Why would I try to villainize the people who are supposed to help protect my family and my kids?

That’s why more than ever having a direct relationship with your police department is so important.

Recently, the Plano, Longview, and Fort Worth Police Departments each partnered with their local McDonalds of North Texas for a special family-focused event, Cones with Cops. Cones with Cops is new initiative with McDonald’s of North Texas and Plano, Fort Worth and Longview Police Departments to boost officer and community relations by providing families with the opportunity to interact with Police Officers working in their neighborhood. Officers of all levels – including Sergeants, Deputy Chiefs and Neighborhood Patrol Officers – talk with families to answer questions, discuss public safety and build relationships with those they serve.

The public was invited to meet members of their local police department and emergency teams as well as enroll children in a special safety program by the neighborhood watch groups. The program keeps a file of children’s photo with some personal details so in the event your child is lost and also issues a personal identification card with the child’s info to share with authorities. And of course, ice cream cones were shared by the officers as children were able to explore a police vehicle, take photos with the officers, and get safety information collected in the mobile unit.

Many families lined up for the special event, including a few young police-officers-in-the-making lined up to have the opportunity to see their heroes in action. And of course, like clockwork, members of the fire department also on site had to make an emergency exit for a reported incident, making for a special experience for those in the parking lot of their friendly McDonald’s to hear the siren go on while the fire engine left the lot.

And of course, after all that hard work, we couldn’t complete the day without having a Happy Meal break and a little trip around the world with the limited-time only cheese fries and the Chicken Tomato Mozzarella sandwich (The world wide menu is where it’s at!)

This event, along with several other community events and programs, are presented by McDonalds of North Texas, is designed to create an ongoing dialog with customers as a community destination for not just food, but the things we all share like police, playdates, and family time.

Now, of course, I’m not saying every group doesn’t have issues or that there aren’t cases of when people in this line of work haven’t deviated from the protocol, but what I can attest is that the first step in creating stronger, healthier and more meaningful communities starts with communication – and a little ice cream doesn’t hurt either.

COPYCAT Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

June 25, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo 46 Comments

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.

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, the sweet taste of BB is no where to be found (and everything fails in comparison.)

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 to!)

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

Dessert Bullet

F-Fal Ice Cream Maker

Yay Labs! Ice Cream Ball

Chill Factor Ice Cream Maker

COPYCAT Bluebell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

Print Recipe

Description

Recipe created by Autumn Reo of MamaChallenge.com.

Scale

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

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

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

Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak

June 22, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo 68 Comments

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.

…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!)

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!)

Our fourth is sizzlin’…? Ribeye, butter, garlic, rosemary and an iron skillet. All you need for the perfect steak. ? Get your guide to yours on mamachallenge! (FYI Ribeyes are on big sale now at @marketstreet_tx!) #marketstreet #ad #fourthofjuly

A post shared by Autumn?mamachallenge.com ? (@mamachallenge) on Jul 3, 2017 at 6:21am PDT

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

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.

Now let’s eat!

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Review of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

May 23, 2019 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Whether you know every word of Percy Jackson or just know it’s a book, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is great show for the family and helps to open up difficult conversations.

Thank you to AT&T Performing Arts for sharing the arts in North Texas and this sponsored post.

First off: I’ve never read a Percy Jackson book in my life.

However, I have a truly committed fan in my 10-year-old son who has spoken non-stop about Percy and Greek mythology for months.

Photo: Jeremy Daniel

While he has always been my date/co-host for many movies, events, and even TV shows, we haven’t had a chance to spend as much time together…because growing up often means growing apart from your parents. At least in my two experiences (first as a kid and now as a parent.) Now we haven’t had any fights or issues, but he has interests outside of me and the ones I’ve presented and is beginning to cultivate his own personality. PLUS I’d be remiss to not mention just a few weeks ago he got to see “the movie” at school (you know the one where all the boys and girls are split into two rooms?)

Get 25% off tickets to “The Lightning Thief ” with THIS SPECIAL OFFER!

So needless to say, it’s been a heck of a few months talking about the topics that honestly all parents and kids dread. So when The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical came across the schedule at AT&T Performing Arts, I had a feeling it was time for the boy and I to have some time together. To do something he enjoyed and let him take the reigns as the expert. And that he did – and much more.

Headed to the show he proceeded to get me updated on all storylines about Percy Jackson.

“See there’s a kid, Percy, he’s a half-blood, so he’s the son of…” he began.

Photo: Jeremy Daniel

About the Show

Anyone who does know Percy knows there’s nothing simple about the storyline (hence the very large novels in the library.) But even with the complex story, I would soon find during the musical (which should be noted is taken from the BOOK and not the MOVIE), would transcend into a myriad of starter topics of several conversations I’ve either wanted or have thought about talking with my kid about for months. And the cast just put it out there…easy for me to pick up and take home for later. And of course, many other opportunities to laugh, sometimes because I did and sometimes because I could see how tickled it made my son.

Get 25% off tickets to “The Lightning Thief ” with THIS SPECIAL OFFER!

While I won’t put any spoilers in here (at least I don’t think), I will share that the story begins where Percy goes to Camp Half-blood, a place for those children of the gods to be protected and to learn their skills among each other. So like many coming-of-age stories, you have characters with different backgrounds all trying to find their way in the “odyssey” of life. The cast of The Lightning Thief is very small, but that doesn’t limit the number of very unique and interested characters you’ll meet along the show (including one from North Texas.) However actor Ryan Knowles (who plays Chiron and many other characters) is what kept me laughing throughout the show from start to finish.

What to Expect

Like the cast, the set isn’t overly complicated with a simple backdrop that is used throughout the show. But honestly, with heavy discussions about dyslexia, ADHD, feeling alone, etc., you don’t need all the other stuff to cover it up. And the “interesting” props and light effects do make a big impact on advancing the show. While only a few “light” curse words were uttered at all through the musical, I feel like there were some parts (mostly when the entrance of two big characters appear) that are a little less appropriate for the littles, but only if they scare easily. Some sword action also adds to a little bit of violence in the story, but honestly, we’re talking Greek gods, so this isn’t doesn’t hold a candle to any of those books we read in school at this age.

Photo: Jeremy Daniel

What Did We Think

As for my son’s review of the show, I was able to capture him to give his thoughts right after the show. But to say it in his words, “It was awesome.” (He goes into more in his Instastories.) “…It speaks for itself.” When asked how many thumbs he says – “27 thumbs up.”

But for this mom, what I appreciated more was our ride home. All of a sudden in talking about the show, he seemed so at ease about discussing things on his mind and some of those more “difficult” topics, just began to flow. And while I don’t expect every conversation from here on out to be as easy, it was great to be able to able to have Percy Jackson as a platform for us to talk, learn and share together.

A few notes: if you haven’t read the book, it’s ok, you’ll still be able to enjoy the story. If you have read the books and/or enjoy mythology, you’ll like this musical in a different way. If you don’t like musicals, well, it’s a musical, but it’s got some great acting and fun plot lines that make it enjoyable between the show.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is at AT&T Performing Arts from now – May 26 at the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House. Get 25% off tickets to “The Lightning Thief ” with THIS SPECIAL OFFER!

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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!

Girlfriend’s Guide to Grilling a Steak

1) It’s all in the meat.

2) Season and Sit it Out.

3) Get your Grill Going.

4) Let’s Get Cooking.

5) Dinner is Done.

Whether you know every word of Percy Jackson or just know it’s a book, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is great show for the family and helps to open up difficult conversations.

About the Show

What to Expect

What Did We Think

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