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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Calling All Budget Superheroes: Just Between Friends Dallas Starts Thursday in Mesquite

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Disclaimer: I’m working with Just Between Friends Dallas in Mesquite to promote their upcoming sale, March 20-23. I’m a huge fan of cute yet inexpensive clothes for my kids and I know you probably are, too! #JBFDallas #Mesquite #Spon

Mama Challenge:
Dressing your babies in cute clothes that won’t break your bank! 


We all gotta have ’em…Clothes. 

 Actually we don’t HAVE to have them, but it’s kinda of an expectation. And for most moms, we like our kid’s clothes to reflect our style and show off how adorable they are. And it doesn’t hurt that they keep them warm or cool for the weather, too. 

 But keeping up with kids’ ever-changing growth spurts makes it really hard and expensive to keep those closets up-to-date. Or an older sister or a bestie whose kids are exactly one season in front of your kids and you get everything of her kids passed on each season. 

 No such luck? Me neither. 

However, the next best thing is having Just Between Friends. Hence the name, the JBF franchise is one that I’ve relied on for both my kids to keep us stocked up on everything from clothes, shoes, toys and more. Last month I visited the JBF in Fort Worth, but I still was looking for more great finds for my kids and my friends’ recent additions, so Dallas here we come. 

 I hope you’ll join me there as I scout out the Mesquite Rodeo Hall for the best finds for boys and girls, ages newborn – 5. And I’m even going to get a sneak peek so you can see what I’m finding so you too get hurry on over to load up for spring, summer and fall. 


One of my tips is that you should always look for 1-2 seasons at least to make sure you are getting the most out of your JBF experience. I have some dresses I bought for my daughter and while they don’t fit today, at the prices I’m getting clothes at from JBF, it’s worth it to hang in the closet for a few months! 

Hours:
Wednesday, March 19:
noon: 15 hour presale
1:00 pm: 10 hour presale
2:00 pm: 5 hour presale
3:00 pm: consignor presale (+1 guest)
5:00 pm: Prime Time Shopping Sale ($10 admission per person)
7:00 pm: First time parent & teacher presale
10:00 pm: CLOSE


Thursday, March 20:
10 am-6 pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
$3 admission fee (Thursday only)

6:30 pm- 7:30 pm: Second Drop Off
(no clothing, shoes or car seats accepted at second drop off)

Friday, March 21:
10 am-6 pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC


Saturday, March 22:
10 am-6 pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
6:30- 8:00 pm: 1/2 Price Presale (15 & 10 hour volunteers only)


Sunday, March 23:
noon-6pm: OPEN TO THE PUBLIC- HALF PRICE SALE

 Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook tomorrow to see what I find! 

 Just Between Friends Dallas 
March 20-23, 2014
Mesquite Rodeo Exhibit Hall
1700 Rodeo Drive, Mesquite, TX 75149
www.twitter.com/JBFDallas
www.facebook.com/JBFDallas
Website







Last-Minute Must Pack Items for SXSW

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Disclaimer: I was selected to represent Pfister at SXSW. I was provided a Powerrocks charger as a promo item. Hormel sent over several packs of their new Rev Meat Snack Mix for me to try complimentary, and I’m obsessed. 


I’m a planner-kind-of-gal. I like to know what to pack, what to bring and what to have just in case. So when going to a conference, especially a biggie like SXSW for my first time, I wanted to make sure I had everything I could possibly need as I journeyed down to the capital of Texas with Shannon of milkandcuddles.com for three days of all things technology, digital, interactive everything.

While I’ve been to Austin many times, I’ll admit a forecast for rain threw my whole plan a little out of whack since normally Austin is prime for sandal weather, but I was so glad I made some specific choices to make sure I was ready to go at it like a pro (minus forgetting my galoshes.) 

While the weather wasn’t going to be on my side as I headed to Austin for SXSW 2014, I at least make sure I packed a few things to make my experience a little more convenient, connected and tastier. 

1. Hormel Rev Meat Snack Mix: 
Ever wish you could eat pizza and type on your keyboard with making a mess? Or drive without dropping your BBQ sandwich all over you at the same time? Well, Hormel is making my dreams come true with their new high-protein, on-the-go snack, Rev Meat Snack Mix. Exclusive to Dallas-Fort Worth for now, I was sent a few of these babies to try out and they were the perfect SXSW treat. Packed in a small-cup size, they are perfect for snacking when you are driving down the road (it sits perfect in my cup holder), hiking/camping or gaming and don’t want to stop. Best of all, the mix varieties including Spicy BBQ & Bacon, Turkey Ranch and my family favorite, Pepperoni Pizza, are loaded with tasty flavors that will satisfy the perfect craving for meat, spice and crunch. And you can’t go wrong when your snack is full of protein with 9-10 g protein per serving. For me, it’s so much better than just snacking on jerky. Just don’t leave them in the cabinet while you go out of town, or your family will devour all of them. You can find these at Kroger for a limited time!

2. Powerrocks Charger: 
Everyone at SXSW will run put of power at least once if not twice a day. When you’re talking technology and the future of interactive nonstop for a week, running out of power is the point. But with my handy (affiliate link) Powerocks Magicstick, I just plug it into my phone, put it in my pocket and keep going. Love it! And it’s pink too so that doesn’t hurt my feelings either! While I would pick up a few of these while I was at the conference, I can’t tell you how many times I needed more than one recharge in a day for the iPhone and the iPad. Thankfully Powerrocks charges them all!

3. Go Go squeeZ: 
As the ambassador for Go Go squeeZ, I always have my green packs of fruity fun around. And when you’re hiking around Austin, waiting in line, or dying of hunger, go go is an awesome + easy way to get some fruit into system and eat it while I’m tweeting. I wish I had brought more for the hackers and power computer users who never left their laptop. Go Go makes it easy to eat over your computer without mess or from stopping what you’re doing. Believe me, you can subsist on Go Go squeeZ when you are on a deadline for many hours and have a sweet craving. 

4. Cords, Cords, and More Cords: 
Not only do you need to bring a small charger to keepy our devices running at SXSW, but you’ll also need to make sure to bring an extension cord. If you are taking notes and on your computer the whole time and have already gone through that recharge pack (or saving it for an emergency), make sure to utilize an opportunity to charge up your computer. And considering outlets may not be handy, having that cord can save you every time. I’ve learned this from other conferences and even if you don’t have to use it often, there’s always going to be that time you should have and didn’t. 

5. Boots. 
Yes, it seems so cliche, but it’s the truth. Any trip to Texas you should bring your boots. I actually had read a post about What to Wear to SXSW and the author mentioned boots. Considering I’m from Dallas/Fort Worth (well, Arlington), I thought that was only fitting for foreigners (people from outside of Texas), so I decided not to comply. Dumb girl. It rained so much on Saturday, even the most comfortable flats I own that are made for walking couldn’t handled the rain along 6th Street as I walked at least four miles that day. And it was cold too. So heed the advice: Bring your boots. Cowboy, rain or just cute riding ones – just leave the ones with the 4 inch heel at home. They just ain’t fittin’ as Mammie would say. 



I’ll definitely be sharing more about my experience at SXSW in coming posts, so make sure you stay tuned for the good stuff. 




Make Healthy Eating Easy with Facts Up Front

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“This is a sponsored post written by me on the behalf of the Facts Up Front program.”

While the chance to go to the grocery store to enjoy a hot cup of designer coffee, taste the new cheeses at the deli department while listening to the perfectly customized soundtrack (with no set time limit) is right up my alley for a fun way to spend my Saturday, it’s not normally the case or the most important part of my trip.


As a mom, I’m on the move and most occasions you’ll see my whip into the store with five minutes to complete a 30-minute trip. And that’s really hard when you are a label reader like me; picking up each product and flipping it over to check out the calories, the fat and how best I can squeeze in the most nutrition into what my family eats and drinks. Unfortunately, if you multiply the number of goods in my cart to the amount of time it takes to find the item, pick it up, turn it over and read the stats…well this mom doesn’t have time for that and probably neither do you.

The grocery store experience has come a long way, but the Facts Up Front initiative is one of the best upgrades yet. A voluntary initiative led by the in 2011, Facts Up Front brings important information from the Nutrition Facts panel (normally found on the side or back of the label) and displays it in a simple and easy-to-use format on the front of food and beverage products.



Specifically, the Facts Up Front label displays four basic icons: calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugars, representing the key nutrients for which dietary guidance recommend limiting consumption in the diet as determined by the Food and Drug Administration.

FACTS UP FRONT LABEL EXAMPLE

Basically, the label makes locating some of the most nutritional facts easier to find without picking up the product, finding the stats and trying to discern quickly if this is a product that fits your family’s nutritional needs – making it a huge time AND money saver!

Just check out this helpful video on how to save time and money with Facts Up Front.

The Facts Up Front website http://www.factsupfront.org also contains interactive tools like a nutrition calculator, an interactive label, a nutritional interactive quiz, shopping tips, and delicious recipes.

With the Nutrition Calculator, in five simple questions the calculator provides caloric intake, along with the suggested amounts of daily nutrients needed for each day, including fiber, protein and Vitamin C. This way you can determine your estimated daily nutrient needs for themselves and their family members in order to maintain a wholesome diet and weight. Then with that knowledge head to the grocery store to find the Facts Up Front labels that match the recommended nutritional values.

The Facts Up Front program is growing with more than 50 manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers voluntarily implementing this special labeling on their branded and private label products including Nestle, Post Foods, Ocean Spray, PepsiCo, Campbell’s, General Mills, Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Kraft, and Heinz as well as retailers like Kroger. For a full list of Facts Up Front partners, visit http://factsupfront.org/Partners.


While there’s no technology developed to keep your refrigerator and pantry stocked with all the healthy and delicious products all time without going to the grocery store, the Facts Up Front initiative does make it easier and quicker to be informed and choose the right items for your family when you do go.

Then you might still have time and money for that latte when you’re done.

What’s your family’s healthiest go-to meal?

“This is a sponsored post written by me on the behalf of the Facts Up Front program.”

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Cleaner Teeth, Healthier Heart with Waterpik Aquarius Professional Water Flosser

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Waterpik. #NewAgeinWaterFlossing  #Ad.

 I have a love-hate relationship with my teeth.

 Unfortunately, my teeth have always been a source of stress for me with a mouth full of crowns and braces hardware. I’d like to say that if you took the money spent on my teeth, I’d probably be driving a Mercedes.

 As an adult I’ve worked to maintain a healthy regimen of dental hygiene; now for me AND being a good example to my kids, but it’s hard to keep it up, especially trying to stay on top of flossing for all of us.

Thankfully, dealing with that crazy roll of floss and keeping my kids still isn’t necessary with the use of the . Clinically proven up to 50% more effective for improving gum health vs. string floss and to remove up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas in 3 seconds, the Waterpik makes our night time “brush your teeth” ritual much easier with a fun way to take care of your chompers. 

 In the past the idea of pulling out a big, complicated machine seemed to be too overwhelming and too unattractive to leave on the bathroom counter sink, but the compact design of this new  makes set up and clean up a snap as well as the easy on and off on the wand. I can tell you from my own experience, that button alone ensures there’s a lot less mess when you get a mouth full of water and you’re trying to spit while getting to the machine to turn off the button. *It’s the little things that make a real difference! * 


 Also, having a child with a heart defect, dental care is that much more important. Did you know there is a link between good dental hygiene and a healthy heart? While I’m no doctor, the relationship between the two is enough reason everyone should spend more than just a few seconds scraping those bristles across your pearly whites. While having your own teeth and having a nice shiny smile is something we all should consider a priority, a healthy heart gives you enough reason to make time for brushing and flossing daily.


With the  I was able to almost start using it straight out of the box. Following the quick instructions, it just a few minutes I had a mouth full of clean teeth as it the Waterpik removed plaque and debris deep between teeth and below the gumline where brushing and traditional flossing can’t reach. Once I was done, I was able to lined up the kids to show them how it worked. With 7 different flosser tips and the floss/massage option, we all had fun finding just the right mode and tool to clean our teeth. 

 comes with 7 tips made to fit your individual needs including: 
3 – Classic Jet Tips
1 – Plaque Seeker® Tip
1 – Orthodontic Tip
1 – Pik Pocket™ Tip
1 – Toothbrush Tip

 Just having a “machine” made it fun for the kids to clean their teeth. And the clean feel in mouth gave me that “I just got back from the dentist” feeling like when you get a new car. Clean up with a snap and I was able to slide it under the sink easily until our next use! 

As I get older, keeping my teeth healthy and clean is huge priority and teaching my kids the importance of healthy dental care regimen is one of the many things I want to teach my kids. With the  I am able to do that for all of us and probably save money too with less visits to the dentist! 

Right now until March 31, 2014, get free shipping on your  with the code “FREESHIPWP660” on the . 

Happy Flossing! 






This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Waterpik.
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Save Calories and Money with Houlihan’s Low-Calorie Cali-Cali Menu

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Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Houlihan’s via MomTrends. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Houlihan’s or MomTrends. 

When comes to dining out, I’m the kinda girl that wants to try everything. For me food is an experience so anytime I find a place that allows me to try a few different things without blowing my calorie count for a month or costing me my paycheck, I’m a fan.  And if you have scallops on your menu, well then you already just made my short list! 

A recent trip to Houlihan’s not only hit all my requirements for good food and good experience, but when I stumbled upon “I <3 Mondays” special, it was a little like the lottery. After a bad case of the Mondays, I began to smile with the idea of a choice of soup AND a dessert for only $3 with the purchase of my entree. However, the smile wasn’t stopping there. 

While I was treating myself to a Monday night dining out experience, I still wanted to try to eat healthy, especially if I was going to have dessert, too! Sliding into the rich wood seats and dark interiors, the weight of the day continued to lift, especially when my waitress greeted me. With Houlihan’s new lighter “Going Back to Cali-Cali” menu options (with items less than 590 calories), I had several delicious options including a very apropos X-Rated Moscato Martini with Skyy Infusions Moscato Grape Vodka, premium X-Rated Fusion Liqueur infused with organic blood orange juice, house sour and fresh cranberry juice and at 140 calories I was doing a little dance.


Now on to the rest of the meal. Considering I wasn’t the only one dining, I opted for something that we couldn’t resist with the Chicken and Avocado Eggrolls (a Houlihan’s staff favorite!) Served with sour cream and salsa, they were the perfect bite we needed to keep us steady for our next courses: salads, entrees and a dessert.

Round 2:

 Sampling from the salad menu, I couldn’t resist the idea of goat cheese, so I selected the White Tuscan Bean Salad.



And who can go wrong with tortilla soup? Houlihan’s definitely doesn’t with a homemade tortilla recipe full of flavor and fixins.


Next course:

 Still looking to be reasonable for a Monday meal, we ordered the Lemon & Herb Grilled Chicken (550 calories) with Tuscan white beans, organic kale-spinach-chard blend, roasted artichokes, tomatoes, herbed broth. It was perfectly tender, flavorful, colorful and packed with all kinds of good stuff. The combination of spinach with the artichokes was just the right pairing for the grilled chicken.


And for our other entree? It was hard to pass up the Georges Bank Scallops, but a long-time hankering for Ahi Tuna was in order with napa cabbage, iceburg and spinach with cashews, banana chips, carrots, scallions, cilantro, crispy wontons, banana-ginger vinaigrette. This was a whole new twist on ahi tuna salad with the unique contrast of tender fish, the sweetness of bananas and the crunch of crispy wontons, carrots and dried banana chips. 


And finally:

 There was dessert. 

As part of the lighter fare menu, the Key Lime Mousse layered with crystallized graham cracker crust and whipped cream made that smile of mine even bigger! The key lime flavor was sweet, but not too much to enjoy until the last drop. 

And we may have enjoyed a fried donuts with apple cobbler dip, too! (It was only $3, right?) And with the nutritional facts online you can always check on what you’re eating!


WIN
 Make sure you come in for the limited time lower calorie fare menu. While you’re there, you’ll see there’s several more reasons you’ll be coming back to Houlihan’s. And this $50 gift card will give you your first experience on me! 


 About Houlihans
Established in 1972, Houlihan’s is a progressive concept that bridges the gap between fine dining and what people have come to expect from casual dining, priding itself on style and quality. Houlihan’s offers guests a design-forward atmosphere featuring a curated indie music soundtrack, an eclectic menu designed for modern lifestyles, and an energetic scene. Houlihan’s crafts dishes made from scratch with assertive flavors and offers creative, diverse cocktails and wine selections, with many of its locations garnering ‘best happy hour’ awards from local media outlets. Currently, 83 Houlihan’s restaurants operate throughout the country, 52 of which are franchised. Houlihan’s is owned by Houlihan’s Restaurants, Inc. of Leawood, Kansas, which developed and owns several restaurant concepts comprising of approximately 100 locations coast-to-coast, including Devon Seafood Grill and J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks. For more information, please visit www.houlihans.com or find Houlihan’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/houlihans.



Ripe for the Picking: 8 Great Natural Products for Winter Beauty

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I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #WalgreensBeauty #CollectiveBias #Shop


In Texas you never know what Mother Nature is going to deal you especially in the winter time. But one thing is for certain:  your skin and hair is going to suffer some serious stress from the weather. However, with a little help from your neighborhood Walgreens, I’ve discovered some great natural beauty products that will make your skin feel as fresh as a peach, your hair just like it’s “mint” to be and at a price that will make your wallet happy, too!  Shouldn’t you give your body the same goodness on the outside as you do the inside? 


1. Yes to Tomatoes Skin Clearing Facial Mask

The winter season puts stress on everything, but especially on your skin. Like the skin of a tomato, our skin is tender and needs gentle care to keep it shiny and clean. Yes to Tomatoes combines Lycopene (the antioxidant found in tomatoes) and  Dead Sea mud (legendary for its amazing benefits to the skin) for the ideal facial cocktail that in just five minutes, 1-2 times a week, CAN balance blotchiness and balance your skin tone. 




2. St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub

In the winter not only does your regular beauty routine need a boost, but you also have to spend a little more time on the details like exfoliating and moisturizing. To get your skin looking its best, you have to scrub away the dry skin as well as trying to maintain the moisture. A classic for many shower routines for decades, St. Ives Blemis Control Apricot Scrub not only gently takes care of getting rid of the old skin, but those embarrassing blemishes with 100% natural exfoliants.  



3.  Renpure Solutions Rosemary Mint Cleansing Conditioner 

A few years ago my hairdresser told me I should quit washing my hair. 

The suggestion caught me off guard especially since I am the owner of some thick, unruly and after-one-day-pretty-poly head of hair. However, he explained that using shampoo actually strips the hair of natural oils needed to protect it during the several weather conditions we experience in the winter. Instead using a cleansing conditioner like Renpure’s Rosemary Mint cleanse the hair while keeping in the moisture. And with other natural ingredients like Coconut Oil and Shea Butter, will leave hair soft and healthy with shine and luster. 



4. Vaseline Total Moisture Cocoa Radiant Vitalizing Body Gel Oil 

While slathering lotion should be part of your routine, applying moisture even before you get out of the shower is an ideal opportunity to get your skin in prime condition. With Vaseline’s Body Gel Oil gives you the benefits of an oil without the slippery mess. Your skin is left healthy and glowing and that’s before you even get your day going! 


5. Yes to Blueberries Age Refresh Intensive Skin Repair Serum
Blueberries may make a delicious muffin, but they also are full of anti-oxidants like Vitamin and Anthocyanins to fight the formation of free radicals that can damage the skin’s microstructure. Additionally, with organic cotton thistle, black currant and apple, the Yes to Blueberries Intensive Skin Repair Serum will give your skin the ammo it needs to find the sings of aging leaving your skin firm, protect your skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles. 



6. Yes to Grapefruit CC Cream

Like blueberries, grapefruits have amazing natural properties to make your skin look newer by brightening  dark age spots and repair hyperpigmentation. Best of all you can find these benefits in a CC cream! If you’ve never used a CC cream, it’s like a 3-in-1 with color correcting properties, moisturizer, and SPF 18. And as an added bonus, the light tint (available in two shades), provides just the right amount of color so you can complete your facial routine in just one step! 



7.  Nivea Lip Butter Vanilla and Macadamia Kiss

Winter does just as much damage on your lips as it does your skin! So don’t forget to apply more moisture to your lips! Nivea is an established brand for exceptional skin products and this one is no different! PLUS the smell and slight flavor of the Vanilla and Macadamia Kiss makes it a treat each time you apply! Just remember you’re supposed to wear it and not eat it. 



8. Yes to Cucumbers Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes

I’ve been a long time fan of the Yes to Cucumber Facial Towelettes. When I was pregnant in the middle of the Texas summer these were the only way I could cool off quickly and freshen up without taking three showers a day. Now, these babies continue to be lifesavers when I’m so exhausted I can’t do the three step skin care routine, but still need to take my makeup off. And if you do a workout and then have to do errand before you get to shower, they make you feel fresh!  Oh, and traveling is cinch because you don’t have to pack your cleanser and eye remover in your carryon!

Have a few other areas that need a little attention? Or looking for the idea travel-sized kit for all your winter skin needs? Don’t forget to check out the Burt’s Bees corner at Walgreens! They have so many natural options for your skin needs – including a nail and toe sampler that is a must-have any time of the year for the best at-home mani and pedi! 



Walgreens is the perfect place to find exactly what you need this winter season for healthy skin, hair, nails and more! 

What’s your best winter beauty tip do you have to share?  





DIY Healthy “Drive-Thru” Makes Breakfast Delightful with Jimmy Dean Delights {Free Printable}

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This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Jimmy Dean, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BreakfastDelight  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

Mornings are madness for most families, especially at our house. 

With Dad trying to get out the door for work, the two kiddos to school/daycare and for me whatever appointments or errands I have lined up in the power-packed day, from the moment I open my eyes, we are in a marathon to get dressed, fed, packed up and out the door — ideally, on time. Unfortunately, with all I’m doing to get everyone ready, breakfast Monday through Friday isn’t something isn’t as healthy as I’d prefer, but there’s has to be a compromise, right?

Actually, there doesn’t have to be anymore with Jimmy Dean Delights. 


For months I’ve felt like these were my little secret as I would sneak a box just for me in the cart at Walmart and store them in the back of the freezer for those mornings when I was short on time, but wanted to splurge on flavor like with my Egg White with Spinach & Mozzarella on Honey Wheat Flatbread. It was more convenient than going through the drive-thru, less expensive, loaded with protein, and frankly tasted better. (And did I mention less than 200 calories!?!) All of a sudden, I was actually getting to eat breakfast and not just cook it for the kids! 


However, one morning the kids refused to eat the boring breakfast I’d made. I had to admit, I couldn’t blame them. They begin whining why we couldn’t go to Chick-Fil-A or McDonalds for breakfast. While there’s totally a time and a place for either, this was not the morning. There was no time, we didn’t need to spend the money and frankly, starting this routine could only mean trouble for all of us. 

So, I busted out my stash of Delights, wrapped them in a paper towel and threw them in the microwave for 1:45 minutes – and voila – breakfast, kids! I couldn’t send them to school hungry and looking at the calorie count compared to their normal breakfast, my Jimmy Dean Delights were healthier than anything I was giving to the kids every morning. Now, hopefully, they liked them.  


Oh, yes they did! They told me it was like going through the drive-thru…at home, but better. And for my kids, that’s a pretty good compliment. There was no reason I needed to tell them at this junction that Jimmy Dean Delights are a healthy option loaded with protein and low calorie, too. And with so many options, we weren’t going to have to worry about another boring breakfast for a LONG time.

Jimmy Dean Delights are available in nine varieties all under 300 calories: 

  • Delights Bacon, Egg & Cheese Honey Wheat Flatbread (Boy’s favorite)
  • Delights Turkey Sausage, Egg White & Cheese English Muffin (Girl’s favorite)
  • Delights Turkey Sausage, Egg & Cheese Honey Wheat Flatbread
  • Delights Canadian Bacon, Egg White & Cheese Honey Wheat English Muffin
  • Delights Turkey Sausage, Egg White & Cheese Croissant
  • Delights Egg White With Spinach & Mozzarella-Style Cheese Product Honey Wheat Flatbread (my favorite)
  • Delights Turkey Sausage, Egg White & Cheese Whole Grain Bagel
  • Delights Maple Pancakes & Turkey Sausage Griddlers
  • Delights Cinnamon Glazed French Toast & Turkey Sausage Griddlers

Now if I can just get my hands on those JD Maple Pancakes & Turkey Sausage Griddlers or Cinnamon Glazed French Toast & Turkey Sausage Griddlers, I’d probably be the best. mom. ever.

And to make it really fun for those mornings when we are really running late, I decided we’d take that “drive-thru” concept to heart with our own specially labeled bags! 

Click here to download this sticker printable – perfect for Avery 9-up stickers templates. 

Making a cute little sticker, I just warm up the Jimmy Dean Delights and either throw a sticker on the napkin with the kiddo’s name or on days when we might be in the car for a long stretch, this “McMom” puts in an orange juice, fruit or box of raisins and a Jimmy Dean Delights in the specially branded “bag” (sticker) and we head out ready for our day. I feel like a rockstar and they feel like they got a special treat of going “out” for breakfast.

It makes my mornings a DELIGHT and theirs, too!

You can can find Jimmy Dean Delights at your local Walmart. And I’d get two boxes at least, because the first box won’t last you long!







5 Fun Things to Do in Los Cabos Mexico with Kids

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Think Mexico isn’t the best vacation for kids? Think again! There’s tons of things to do in Los Cabos Mexico and at the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort, which hosted just my son and me for a long weekend. It was such a fun learning experience for both of us! 

ThingstoDoKidsLosCabosMx
 
In October I celebrated my 33rd birthday by taking a trip to Mexico. Unlike previous trips I had taken to Mexico, including getting married there seven years ago, I wasn’t planning for lazy moments sipping banana-rum-somethings by the pool. This time I was taking my five-year-old with me as my traveling companion. 


 
While he’s been a great this year as we ventured to Disney World (his first airplane ride) and to the Texas Hill Country (his first road trip), this trip would require a passport and me as his sole guardian while we were out of the country. The pressure was definitely on as I wondered if he would even enjoy it and hopefully, being it my birthday, would I enjoy it, too!

I can definitely say from this happy face we both had a wonderful time. It took very little work on my end and within a few hours from an Artic-feeling Texas, we were soon walking on the beach enjoying the weather, the sand and the hospitality of Los Cabos. 


Here’s the highlight reel of what we did and definitely our recommendations for an adventure in Los Cabos, Mexico with a five-year-old. 
 
1. Enjoy a Special Dinner Together
Kicking off our first night in Cabo, we went for a “fancy” dinner at the beautiful Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort restaurant, Tomatoes. I love to experience different cuisines and considering we were on the coast, we went for a seafood dinner on the beach. And while it wasn’t a romantic dinner with my husband, my pint-sized version of him was the perfect gentleman as he sat a little taller than normal as he felt the ambience had changed from our normal Chick-Fil-A. 

There was no kids meal ordering though on this night. He was able to order off the adult menu and sipped his first Shirley Temple while I appreciated my margarita. There was something so cute about the two of us having “drinks” as we breathed in the ocean air and the sounds of the tide hitting the coarse sandy coast. It was about then the mariachi band came over and serenaded us with a fun and spirited song that my son couldn’t have been more excited about. I was never so happy to pull out pesos for that tip (too bad it was too dark for a picture, but the memory is worth a thousand words for us!) 

2. Explore the Water 
While I’m not a real sports enthusiast, I’m still of the mindset you should try everything once even if this mama didn’t have the know how. So one day Baja Outback picked us up at the Sheraton Hacienda and took care of everything! 

We were taken by van to a nearby beach with a safe surf and treated to a Cabo 4 Kids adventure complete with an afternoon of sandcastle building, boogie boarding, swimming, snorkeling and refreshments! All I had to do was watch, relax and take photos while my son had the time of his life doing everything he could imagine with a group of new friends! They brought EVERYTHING including life jackets, snorkels, boards and lunch! I couldn’t suggest this enough, especially if you have several kids you want to keep happy (and worn out for a little afternoon siesta.)



 
3. Appreciate the Culture 
My birthday coincides with the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) so during our trip we were able to see how how the Mexican culture celebrates. And to make it even more of a treat my son, who is a student at a bilingual school in the U.S., had learned about the holiday at school before he left, so he knew about the altars and could also practice his Spanish-speaking skills. 

Altar space at the Sheraton Hacienda

 
Altars along the Marina

Another friend of mine at OC Mom Blog actually got to Cabo a few days before us and took her kids Trick or Treating in Cabo, so we couldn’t recommend more spending time in a new country during a holiday! 

4. Kiss a Dolphin 
We could have spent our whole vacation at the Sheraton Hacienda with all the fun activities on the property, I wanted us to venture into the city before we left and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim with the dolphins with Cabo Dolphins. 


I was able to schedule the experience with the hotel concierge and the van picked us up three hours later. The driver took us into town and while we picked up other passengers we had a little peek at the city and the other side of the ocean! About 45 minutes later we were dropped off at the Cabo Adventures headquarters to wait for our time to meet the dolphins.

I opted to not get in the water, so I could take photos from the deck a few steps away. The experience was about 30 minutes long and during that time my son was able to pet the dolphin, watch several tricks with the trainer and then snag a little kiss from the dolphin. 

 
5. Discover the Marina
Just outside of Cabo Dolphins is the beautiful marina in Los Cabos. Full of amazing yachts and azure waters, the marina area was a perfect way for us to get a little last bit of Mexico before we said adios to our Mexican expedition. We walked along the edge of the water, enjoyed a little helado (ice cream), scooped up a few souvenirs for the family and his classmates for show and tell, and tasted one last bowl of Mexican fare before boarding our car to the airport. 

Whether you go during the day or evening, there’s tons to do including great shopping, dining and just people watching. 


There’s something special about having a vacation with just one of your children alone. We spent lots of time talking about what he was experiencing, enjoying things together and just letting my inner kid have a chance to come out and have fun building sand castles and being silly. 

It felt good just to be without expectations. 

And while the facial I had at the hotel spa was amazing (we’ll talk about that soon), there was something so relaxing about just having fun with my son, especially in a beautiful and safe place as we stayed at the Sheraton Hacienda Los Cabos.
 

I can only hope as my kids get older and my two-year-old turns five, I can continue this tradition of enjoying my children on a one-on-one basis. If time doesn’t allow you the extravagance, consider just a date-night with your son and daughter to do something fun like the movies, a museum, bowling or just a nice dinner. You’ll never regret it and they will definitely have a special memory with you as well. 

 

10 Tips to Enjoy DFW’s Prairie Lights – NOW EXTENDED until Jan. 5, 2014

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Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post.


 Like a bad family Christmas movie, DFW’s most recent uninvited guest, ICEmaggedon, put a big kibosh on several holiday events, especially the light displays across the metroplex. Thankfully, many of these organizations, like Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie, have decided to keep their gates open a little longer this season to allow guests the opportunity to appreciate these annual holiday experiences that are sure to put you in the Christmas spirit OR light up your 2014 in a whole new way! 

Long one of my favorite of displays in DFW, Prairie Lights Powered by Gexa Energy in Grand Prairie is well worth the time and money! There is such much even beyond two miles of lit paths and four million lights, it’s a whole night of fun for the kid in all of us. The experience includes not only the drive-through display, but a Holiday Village with free rides, delicious holiday fare, a marketplace and of course, Santa. There’s even a special Holiday Magic theatrical show and a Walk-Through Forest (for an added cost), so you can keep the spirit of Christmas going all night long!


To ensure the best experience, there’s only two things you really need to remember: 
Allow Yourself Enough Time to Enjoy the Fun and 
Prepare Accordingly.

While you shouldn’t feel overwhelmed that you have to do anything at all, these are hopefully a few helpful tips to make you have the best experience ever at the Prairie Lights. 

10 Tips to Enjoy DFW’s Prairie Lights

1. Pick your day mindfully. The weekends are always full, so if possible, pick a Monday – Wednesday to attend (especially if you have kids), so you can keep the car moving in a comfortable pace.

2. Don’t plan to wait until one hour before it closes down to roll in the gate. We had only planned to drive through with the kids, but couldn’t help ourselves from stopping at the out-of-the-car experiences like the Carousel and the huge corn dogs (so good!) AND Since we didn’t pace ourselves, we didn’t get to see the best part of the event, the world’s longest tunnel of lights – because they did turn them off! It was our fault for waiting, so I’d suggest giving yourself at least 2 hours (maybe 3 on the weekend) to leisure enjoy the display, events and activities without missing anything!

3. Bring a blanket (or three). You will want to roll down the window and it gets cold even with the heater.

4. Sip and savor Christmas. Prepare a thermos of hot chocolate or roll up to the nearby Starbucks for hot chocolate (it makes everything better, I promise.)

5. Plan for the Potty. On the same note, you don’t want to have a potty break in the middle of the drive-through portion (you can’t get out of the car to stop once you are in line, so make sure that hot chocolate is a small one or you can hold it until you get to the Holiday Village!)

6. Make sure to grab those coats, scarves and mittens even if you don’t think you want to do the other events. You might change your mind and you don’t want to endure those winter winds without a little bundling capabilities (especially for the kids!)

7. Bring some extra dinero. With all the opportunities to enjoy the lights at the Holiday Village, funnel cakes and Santa pictures, you don’t want to come empty-ended and not able to participate. Even the biggest Grinchs want to get out of the car and get on the rides! 

8. Turn on the holiday music, even if you hate holiday music. It’s just part of the fun! And remember, this year’s holiday station is no longer KVIL, but now sister station, KLUV at 98.7 or turn on the Pandora!

9. Turn off your lights! The best way to enjoy the light display is to not have your view ruined by bright headlights in your face, so make sure to turn those off and just enjoy driving with the brake on without road rage.

10. Enjoy the time in the car. While normally I am not a fan of being stuck at less than 10 miles an our on a one-lane road, you can really do some great catch up time with the kids or your friend by just enjoying your time together without distractions! While I took some photos to share with you, it’s just best to let yourself be in the moment and enjoy the Prairie Lights!




Prairie Lights Powered by Gexa Energy 
Now until Jan. 5, 2014: Sunday – Thursday: 6 – 9 p.m./Friday – Saturday: 6 – 10 p.m.
Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve: 6 – 10 p.m.
Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake
5610 Lake Ridge Parkway
Grand Prairie, TX 75052

Admission for cars is $20 Monday-Thursday (non-holidays) and $30 Friday-Sunday and holidays. Tickets for Holiday Magic Live! are $5 for adults and $3 for children. For the Holiday Magic Lights Walk-Through Forest, adult tickets are $3 and $2 for  children. Save on combo tickets for both – $7 for adults, $4 for children. Carnival rides are free. There is a small charge for pictures made with Santa. VISA and MasterCard are accepted at the admission gate and in Holiday Village.

For more info on hours, admission prices and directions, please visit Prairie Lights on www.facebook.com/PrairieLights, http://twitter.com/PrairieLights, call 972-237-GLOW (4569) or go to www.prairielights.org. 

It’s Never Too Late to Enjoy the Holidays!

Bring Joy to the Holiday Table with Christmas Eve Lasagna {Recipe}

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This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Barilla, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #JoytotheTable  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.


During the holidays my family gets to do the HOLIDAY HOP – meaning we spend most of it traveling from one family’s home to another to celebrate Christmas. Since we are either in commute or opening gifts, there’s not a lot of spare time for me to cook up delicious favorites or even help create dinner with my family members at their homes. However, I don’t want to come empty handed, either. 

Easy to make, delicious to eat, there’s nothing better to freeze, quick to cook and good to travel than lasagna. Depending on my schedule I can plan to make it well in advance, freeze and then take out to bring where ever we are going so we are bringing some joy to the table! While you can enjoy Christmas Eve lasagna any day of the year, since the “main event” is normally on Christmas Day, we try to make things easy for everyone on Christmas Eve with a little taste of Italy. We serve lasagna, open up a bag of salad and throw a few loaves of garlic bread in the oven for a delicious meal that everyone loves. 

And of course, since it is Christmas, I couldn’t help but make it a true “Christmas Eve Lasagna” by adding a special kick with Spinach and Sun-dried Tomatoes on the inside and a little holiday decoration on the top with pepperoni and fresh basil leaves from the back yard!) 


While I consider lasagna to be easy to make, depending on your number of savory ingredients like a red sauce, pasta and my favorite, cheese, can take some time. Everyone in my family has a different spin on what makes the perfect lasagna, so in this recipe, I put them all together to create our Christmas Eve Lasagna. Since it takes more than an hour to set the ingredients up for layering the lasagna, I take a shortcut with Barilla’s All-Natural Marinara sauce and Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagne noodles (I get mine at Tom Thumb/Safeway stores). 

One of the best parts about lasagna is its versatility. You really can customize it with any ingredients you want to make it your own. And with the help of Barilla All-Natural Marinara sauce and Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagne noodles to cut down on the time of preparation, you can personalize your lasagna to suit your family’s preferences and diet needs. Just check out Barilla’s “The Art of Lasagna” for more recipes to inspire you to create new and exciting ways to enjoy lasagna! 

And right now, you can get $1 off the purchase of ONE (1) box of Barilla® Lasagne and ONE (1) Barilla® Sauce at your local Tom Thumb/Safeway store!



To make my boys happy when I make Christmas Eve Lasagna, I actually use three different meats with Pepperoni, Italian Sausage and Turkey Meatballs.  


Next taking a hint from Christmas’ color scheme, I created a “pesto” with spinach and sun-tried tomatoes, which also adds a little helping of veggies to the dish.  Then to ensure that the lasagna doesn’t get dry from the freezer, the car, to the oven and to the table, I use cottage cheese (shhh!) in place of the ricotta!

CHRISTMAS EVE LASAGNA

Ingredients
1 box Barilla Oven-Ready Lasagne
1 Jar Barilla Marinara Sauce (depending on your family’s preference use 2)
5 Italian sausage links (normally sold in a package)
1 package of Pepperoni (pre-sliced makes it easy and fun for the kids to help)
1 lb. Turkey Meat (85/20 works great, but any will do. Also, I used the Italian-seasoned meat to make it easier on me!)
1/2 onion, chopped
3-4 slices of bread (I used sandwich loaf) 
1/4 cup of milk
1 cup Parmesan Cheese (divided into 1/2 cup servings)
1/4 Italian bread crumbs
Italian seasonings (optional) 
1 bag of fresh Spinach 
7-8 Sun-dried Tomatoes (I used dried, but you could use store-bought in oil)
2-3 tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 container of Fat-Free Cottage Cheese
1 package of fresh Mozzarella Cheese, sliced
1 package of Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Instructions

Make building your lasagna a snap but preparing all the layers in advance. 

1.  Meatballs (can be done ahead of time): 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

In a large bowl, tear bread into pieces and 1/4 cup of milk mixed together until it turns to a paste. Then add turkey meat, onions and seasonings and mix with your hands until it dry enough to form into 1/2 inch – 1 inch balls, but not so dry it doesn’t have any moisture. On a separate plate, roll each ball in parmesan cheese and bread crumb mixture.  

Place meatballs in a greased mini muffin pan for 30 minutes until browned. Once cooled, slice into halves. 

2. In a skillet, cook the Italian sausages (in their casings) until they are browned on all sizes. Allow them to cool and then slice them until into 1/4-1/2 inch circles. 

3.  To make the spinach pesto, combine a bag of fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in mixer until a fine paste. (If needed, add remaining olive oil to mixture if it seems to dry.) 

4. For cottage cheese layer, mix cottage cheese with parmesan cheese until a paste. 

[Now it’s time to build your lasagna!]

5. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. 

6. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. 

7. For the bottom layer, pour 1/2 the sauce into the pan and spread evenly. 

8. Top sauce with 3 sheets of  Oven-Ready Lasagne. (It’s ok if it doesn’t cover the whole pan, it will expand while cooking.) Spread cottage cheese mixture on top of noodles. Add sliced Italian sausage. 

9. Cover with three more sheet of the Oven-Ready Lasagne. Spread Spinach pesto across the noodles. Now layer slices of fresh mozzarella cheese and cover with meatball halves (you will have some left over to nibble!) 

10. Cover layer with three more sheets of Oven-Ready Lasagne. Then add pepperoni slices on top until covered. Add remaining sauce and spread over pepperonis. 

11. Then add shredded mozzarella cheese until covered. (Optional: For fun, I added a basil leaf and pepperoni to make it festive.) 

12. Cover pan with foil and place in the oven for 25 minutes. Then remove foil and continue to cook for 5-10 minutes until gold and bubly. 

13. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before serving! 

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 Barilla continues to bring joy to the table this month with their “30 Days of Joy” contest on Facebook. Each day you can discover tips, new recipes and have a chance to win amazing prizes like an espresso machine or a $1,500 gift card to Williams-Sonoma. You can enter everyday for the rest of the month, so make sure to set a reminder to head over to their Facebook daily. 

No matter what type of lasagna you make this Christmas or any day of the week, bring Joy to the Table with Barilla. 


Happy Holidays! 




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