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mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents | Dallas Blog

Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

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Five Ways to Save Money on Online Shopping

December 15, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

affiliate-links

The holidays don’t come cheap, so here are five ways to save money on online shopping!

During the holidays doesn’t it just feel like money just takes wings and flies south for the winter? From buying food for parties to all of the random gift exchanges, my checking account is being pulled in multiple directions. So until we cash in on the Texas Mega Millions, here are my top 5 ways you can find the best deals for your holiday gifts without breaking the bank or a sweat.


snagshout

Snagshout // website

A new social deal site that offers deep discounts (30-90%) to consumers in exchange for honest reviews on Amazon products. You read that right. You’re being paid (in the form of coupons) to give your opinion. To purchase an item on Snagshout, customers are given a promo code to purchase the item directly from the brand’s amazon listing.

 ebates

Ebates // website

Surely by now, you’ve heard me talk about Ebates, seen the commercial or maybe even read about here. Well, in case you missed it, here’s the 411. Ebates pays members up to seven percent cash back every time they shop and provides them with amazing Amazon deals. The membership is free and every quarter, they will send your money straight to your house or your PayPal account. 

 Slick Deals

Slickdeals // website

Despite the somewhat creepy name, Slickdeals uses consumer-generated, rating and comments to help them find the the best deals and then displays those deals on the website’s front page for quick and easy access. No more filtering and sorting through pages of products, Slickdeals make it easy to find the right coupons based on category and save up to 50 percent on Amazon purchases.

CamelCamelCamel // website

This free Amazon price tracker shows the price and sale rank history for more than 18 million Amazon products, making it super easy to review the item’s past performance. Once the prices drop, CamelCamelCamel alerts customers via email, Twitter and smoke signal (kidding) helping them determine the right time to spend and save. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about Big Brother CamelCamelCamel price watching.

Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime // website

Last but certainly not least is Amazon Prime. Members receive free two-day shipping on eligible purchases, unlimited streaming of popular movies and television shows, ad-free access to more than a million songs and hundreds of playlists, one Kindle per month from more than 800,000 titles, storage in Amazon Cloud Drive and a patridge in a pear tree. And all of this for only $99/year. Sure that mean like a large one-time purchase, but it pays for itself in shipping costs alone. You can try out the membership in a free 30-day trial to see if you like it, but make sure you cancel it before the trial period is over or they will charge your card for the entire membership.

If you’re a heavy duty Amazon shopper like me, than these website will make your holiday shopping a piece of Christmas fruit cake. So until we find out what resort our money is vacationing at, hopefully these sites will make the holidays a little easier. No one likes a Scrooge after all.

Pimento Cheese Gougères

December 8, 2015 By Autumn Rose Reo 36 Comments

I’ve partnered with Price*s® to bring you this delicious snack idea, but all opinions are my own!

Bring on the (pimento) cheese, please! Pimento cheese gets two makeovers with an uber easy, yet very indulgent macaroni and cheese and a little more upscale with gougères to make your mouth water.

Pimento cheese is often heralded as a Southern staple much like pecan pie or sweet potatoes. Almost like a rite of passage of any proper Southern child, the first time biting into a pimento cheese sandwich gives you a sinfully simple taste of what can be like, if you let it…creamy, cheesy and with just the right amount of bite.


Pimento-Cheese-Goodness
We’ll get ready for this bite…wealthy New Yorkers in the first part of the 20th century actually created pimento cheese! WHAT?!? It’s true, at least that’s the story. But thankfully, like most things in the South, we’ve given it our own spin and made it better to what the modern pimento cheese recipe we’ve all come to know and love. 

Prices-Pimento-Cheese

No, not the one your grandma makes… or your mama makes… It’s the one found in every container of Price*s® Pimento Cheese. Like a long-time best friend, Price*s® is always there in the refrigerated section at most Walmart stores near the cream cheese ready to be there for you through thick and thin. But this holiday, this stand-by comes with extra-reinforcements with its new Southern-Style Original and Spicy Jalapeno. Two new tastes ready to assist at the unexpected ring of unexpected guests at the doorbell or when you need a new twist to your own menu. 

Prices-Mac

Macaroni and cheese is a staple in our home with two kids, so while ‘macncheese’ is often on the menu, I don’t always want to create an entire batch for dinner or would love to add a little kick in it for my own sake. This is where Price*s Southern Style pimento cheese can be your new bestie. With just about 1 c. boiled elbow noodles, a few tablespoons of milk, a big spoonful (1/4 cup) of Price*s,and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs under the broiler, you have yourself a recipe for mac n cheese that will have them asking for seconds. I highly suggest using the jalapeno blend for just the right kick to take your MAC go to the next level. AND it’s only four ingredients…unless you go even bigger with a crumbled bacon. Then you can call it Merry Mac n Cheese!

Pimento-Cheese-Mac

One of my favorite parts of the holidays are a reason to make hors d’oeuvres a meal. Eating a little bite of everything makes me pleased as pie, especially when it’s something with cheese.  Something bite sized, creamy and leaving you wanting to more is normally my joie de vivre (French for “joy in life”), so Price*s® was right at home in my recipes for gougères. 

Prices-gougères-cheese-puffs

Sounds fancy, right? It is. But making it wasn’t by using Price*s®. Let’s be honest, if I called it a cheese puff (which is basically what it is), you’d envision a crunchy, orange snack in bag with a cat on the front. Gougères are so much more than that though…using the same recipe base of cream puffs, but instead use pimento cheese for a custardy like bite, with the holiday colors of the pimentos and pickles that make it festive for the holiday occasion without even trying. (Which is always ideal to do the least amount of work possible and claim it like you meant to do that.) 

cheese-gougères

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Pimento Cheese Gougères


  • Author: Autumn Reo of mamachallenge.com
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Description

This easy, yet impressive recipe for pimento cheese gougères will impress your friends when you say it but even more when they eat it.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup butter (1 stick, chopped into pieces)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 grated extra-sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup pimento cheese
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
  3. Combine milk, water and butter into sauce pan and bring to a boil over high heat until melted.
  4. Add flour and salt at once, reduce heat to medium and stir mixture with wooden spoon until it pulls away from sides of pan.
  5. Remove from heat and allow to cool for one minute. Dough should be smooth, thick and shiny.
  6. Add the dough to stand mixer.
  7. Using paddle attachment, mix dough on low speed until dough is not seaming, but isn’t cool before adding eggs.
  8. One a time, add eggs, incorporating into dough before adding next egg.
  9. Next add cheddar and pimento cheese along with seasonings and mix until blended.
  10. Move dough to pastry bag or resealable plastic bag to create heaping tablespoons of dough, two-inches apart on pan.
  11. Bake until golden brown, approximately 15-18 minutes at 400 degrees.
  12. Reduce heat to 300 degrees and continue baking for another 8-10 minutes.
  13. Serve immediately.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @mamachallenge on Instagram and hashtag it #mamachallenge

 

[One tip: To make your gougères just the right size, use a pastry bag or simply use a plastic resealable bag. Fill it up with the dough, cut off the tip and begin your new career in French cooking like a pro (with none of the cooking school cost!)]

Pimento-Cheese-Southern-Style

Ready to get cooking? 

Get recipes and find your closest Walmart location for the NEW Price*s®Southern Style Original or Spicy Jalapeno Pimento Cheese here. Make your holidays a little more cheesier with the NEW Price*s®Southern Style Pimento Cheese!


Prices-Mac-N-Cheese-Recipe

 

 

Gougère-Pimento-Cheese

 

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Meet this Mama: Autumn Rose Reo

Get REAL Solutions for REAL Parents that Work! From recipes, things to do, parenting tips (and fails) and how to cope with everything in between, she'll share all the best ways to take on your (mama) challenges... http://www.mamachallenge.com/about/

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I put it off all day because I didn’t want to ha I put it off all day because I didn’t want to have to start the inevitable, but here we are the first #SeniorSunday for Jackson Benham Reo. (I’m so not ready.)
Doubled-down and won big! Congrats to @daynetxbbq Doubled-down and won big! Congrats to @daynetxbbq for being named #7 in @texasmonthly 2025 Top 50 BBQ! 

We’ve done our own BBQ stop shopping this last year from our own @hurtadobbq, @smokenashbbq and @225bbq in Arlington, @goldeesbbq and @panthercitybbq in Fort Worth, @zavalasbarbecue in Grand Prairie and @franklinbbq in Austin, no one can say that BBQ is BBQ. It’s as vastly different as the landscape as Texas. Now I’m off to @burntbeanco - #sequin here we come with the rest of the state!

#bbq #texasbbq
I can’t believe these are my people…my people I can’t believe these are my people…my people are supposed to be toddlers with Thomas the Train and Disney Princess backpacks! 

Goodbye 11th and 7th grade!
🚨 ACT NOW: Keep Public $$$ in Public Schools! 🚨

Click Here (takes less than one minute): 
https://www.txpta.org/take-action

Tomorrow, March 11, the Texas House Committee on Public Education will hear HB 3. Let’s make it clear: Public money demands public accountability!

Texans have rejected vouchers since 1957—yet lawmakers are once again pushing them through with SB 2 and HB 3.

💰 Vouchers drain public school resources.
📉 They don’t improve student achievement.
❌ They aren’t about "parent choice"—private schools choose their students.
🏫 Texas parents already have school choice.

Governor Abbott is making vouchers a priority, but Texans are pushing back. Lawmakers are feeling the heat from voters who refuse to let public schools be undermined.

📲 Take 1 minute to make your voice heard NOW!

📷Jackson and Taylor are 2 of the 5.5 million reasons why Texas must keep public dollars in public schools. I was a product of public schools and had an amazing experience in a rural community with some of the best teachers. Change needs to happen, but taking away resources like these from schools is not especially when they ste already underfunded and our teachers’ morale is at an all time low. Communities work better together not when you separate them further apart. 

#studentsrworthit
#txptarally25
❣️…Pressing pause (for while)… Forgot wha ❣️…Pressing pause (for while)…

Forgot what it feels like to RELAX? The Sanford House Inn & Spa is ready to help you “Leave Your Worries Behind” with packages to treat yourself (or someone else) this Valentine’s Day! 

You “Can’t Help Falling in Love” with multiple options including a Hot-Stone Massage, Facials, Spa Manicure + Pedicure, Blowouts, Foot Reflexology and even lunch (with wine!

Just take a look at my face - I was able to “turn it off” (for a little while) and when I left my dry winter skin was just glowing - plus I learned how to make it stay that way from my very  knowledgeable esthetician! 

If you haven’t tried this gem in the middle of Arlington, you’re missing out! The Spa is just part of experience with its 12-room Inn and acclaimed 506 Restaurant (don’t sleep on the brunch), @thesanfordhouse is your little piece of heaven in the middle of downtown!

Think it’s only a little dream? It will be if you don’t make an appointment or nudge your loved one this is what you NEED for Valentine’s Day! (But don’t worry you can still get a great experience anytime!)

Link is in my stories for full list of Valentine’s Day packages! 

📍506 N. Center Street, Arlington, Texas
(Less than 1 mile from @attstadium)

#valentines #dfw #ArlingtonTx #sanfordhouse
Texas Bucket List ✔️= Johnson City Lights Thi Texas Bucket List ✔️= Johnson City Lights

This is the last weekend of the “Christmas lights you can see from space” from the twinkliest town in Texas, @visitjctx!

You have until Sunday…and while you’re there you should hit up @halterranchtx, my other new favorite.

#gofredtx #fredericksburgtx @visitfredtx @visitfredericksburgtx
FLASH GIVEAWAY: Just because Santa’s left the st FLASH GIVEAWAY: Just because Santa’s left the station doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate a Classic Christmas (and we have the keys!)

@ClassicChristmas has been extended until Sunday, Jan. 5, so if you haven’t been enjoy this VIP experience with ice skating and snow tubing! 

Giveaway includes 4 Tickets to Classic Christmas + 4 Premium pass upgrades plus: 
🎟️ Exclusive Express Lane entry to popular activities 
🎟️ $10 merch credit at the Classic Christmas Gift Shop  
🎟️ Coca-Cola Beverage

To enter:   
⭐️ Like this post  
⭐️ Comment what’s your favorite Christmas song 
⭐️ Tag a friend who would love the chance to come
⭐️ Share this story as an extra chance to win!

The giveaway is open now through December 30 at 11:59 pm and you’ll have December 31 - January 5, 2025 to enjoy the fun! Winner will be contacted by DM so profile must be public.  (Giveaway is not associate with Instagram/META.) 

#classicchristmas #cocacola #Arlingtontx #ArlingtonTexas #cocacola @enchantdallas #dfw #dfwevents #mamachallenge #dfwinfluencer #dallasinfluencer
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW // Trinity Falls Tour of WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW // Trinity Falls Tour of Trees

 🎄 Tour of Trees at Trinity Falls in McKinney
 🗓️ Now through Dec. 15 (so hurry up!) 

Know what’s better than touring homes? Touring homes with beautifully decorated Christmas trees! 

@trinityfallstx has brought both worlds together by inviting the public to explore their model homes with professionally- styled trees by @absholidaydecor at the 5th Annual Tour of Trees. While you marvel at the homes and the trees, take your photos in front of the trees for a chance to win $500 Amazon gift card.  

TIP: Don’t miss the tree collaboration with #RHOD @dandrasimmons - it’s “beeutiful!” 🐝 

This event is FREE, but registration is required. (Link is in stories or DM “Tree” for the link.)

 #touroftrees #trinityfalls #trinityfallstx #mckinney #mckinneytx #mckinneytexas
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS - Dallas Zoo WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS - Dallas Zoo Lights

🌲 Dallas Zoo
🗓️ Now - January 4 

Wonder what the @dallaszoo is like after dark? Once Upon a Wild Light comes alive with more than two million lights, 5:30 pm - 9 pm each night through January (so you can do this one with your family during the holiday break!) 

While many of the animals sleep, DinoLumia and DinoVision: a Jurassic adventure comes out to play, along with tons of holiday light photo opps and winter fun experiences. Enjoy catching up through self-guided, self-paced walk-through and spend time together while taking photos, which is ideal if you don’t like the holiday overload! And don’t sleep on Santa here, as he has a certain twinkle in his eye the kids always seem to like to catch up with (mom was even able to get a shot.) 

And for the even bigger kids over 21, Dallas Zoo: After Dark, goes wild on Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-9 PM with eats, treats and holiday drinks,live music, and games and other ways to get you in the holiday spirit! 

 @DallasZoo @ReliantEnergy #dallas #dallasholiday #dfwevents #dallaszoolights #holidays #zoo #dallastexas #mamachallenge
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Classic Ch WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Classic Christmas 

🌲 Coca Cola Classic Christmas - Choctaw Stadium in Arlington  
🗓️ Now through Dec. 29

Growing up @cocacola made the holidays magic, so when Coca Cola Classic rolled down the road, we had to go peek! Partnering with @enchantchristmas, the experience is part lights, part photo opps and for my kids mostly FOOD and overall a lot of fun - all washed down with (of course, a Coca Cola!) 

What was also great was a little walk through memory lane with Coke Christmas moments throughout the years - cue the polar bears and 18 wheeler!

Experience: 
🎅Market Square (definitely hit up the t-shirts - reading each one is half the fun)
🎅 Snow Tubing (always our favorite)Ice Skating (truth: we don’t skate, but it’s perfect people watching) 
🎅 Interactive Light up Dance Floor
🎅 @cinemark Theatre with holiday movies 
🎅 Coca-Cola Lounge - 21+ Cocktail experience (looked great to go with the girls)
🎅 Santa Landing

And of course, the Eatery! Eyes (and mouths) got big here with featured food from State Fair of Tex winners like The Drowning Tacos (SO GOOD we then ordered the Birria Tacos, too all cooked onsite and with all the sauce!) 

It’s the real thing!

#ClassicChristmas #ChoctawStadium #ArlingtonTx #CocaCola #Dallas #DFWEvents #DFWHoliday #DFWInfluencers
WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Prairie Li WHERE TO CHRISTMAS IN DFW WITH TEENS // Prairie Lights

🎄 Prairie Lights, Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie 
🗓️ Now through Dec. 31 (NYE) at 6 pm 

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without @prairielights- with a packed car with blankets, Santa hats, hot cocoa and coffee, and blasting holiday music while we sing them even louder.  

A stunning two-mile drive through light park complete with a midway stop - The Holiday Village with carnival rides, amazing bites (corndogs, funnel cakes and more, oh my!) And this year we were surprised with a new light tunnel, reimagined walk-through forest and new displays, great photo opps, gifts, visit with Santa, a lighted strollable forest.  It’s perfectly timed for food, fun and a little time on foot! 

PRO TIP: Go early, get tickets in advance and spring for the fast pass on the weekends and prime holiday times. And enjoy it and don’t try to rush it - enjoy it! That includes entry and the experience (so bathroom before you go, but thankfully there’s one at The Holiday Village and you get the corn dog.) 

#GoGrandGP @grandfungp #GrandFunGP #dfwinfluencer #Dallas #grandprairie #prairielights #dfw
Mariah may be singing “it’s time,” but there Mariah may be singing “it’s time,” but there are still some ways to give a little love to Thanksgiving with a little DIY (hello old pumpkins!) from Mama Challenge! 

So excited to see my friends over at Good Day Fox 4 today for this fun segment!
Peardon My Reach - this one’s on repeat. 🍐 # Peardon My Reach - this one’s on repeat. 🍐 
#nationalcoffeeday 

#cinncinati #kentucky #newport #coffee #fall
Arlington makes Taco Tuesday even better by celebr Arlington makes Taco Tuesday even better by celebrating all month long with its #SaveTheTacos campaign, now - September 30.

Try and vote for “Best Taco in Arlington” from 12 participants:

🌮 Fiesta Fusion Shrimp Taco at Boiling Tails Co.

🌮 The Hunter Taco at Cut & Bourbon

🌮 El Jefe at Grounds and Gold
 
🌮 Jamaican Me Crazy at M’Jays House of Smoke

🌮 Champiqueso at Papaya Mexican Grill

🌮 What the Falafel at Prince Lebanese Grill

🌮 He’s Just a Po Boy at R Bar and Grill 

🌮 Celestial Pork Belly Taco at Rocketbelly
 
🌮 House Special Barbacoa at Tic-Taco
 
🌮 The Chicken of Wall “Street” at TJ’s Catfish & Wings & BBQ

🌮 Baja Shrimp Taco with Mango Salsa at Tom’s Burgers & Grill
 
🌮 Wanna Taco ‘Bout It at Zack’s Bistro

We can tell you which one is our favorite, but take away all the fun to find your favorite! 

(Link to Vote in Stories!)

#ArlingtonTX #TacoTuesday #SavetheTacos
Always great to see a few guys who work together l Always great to see a few guys who work together like each other, too.

It’s even better when they’re Texas Rangers and  we’re celebrating Hall of Famer Adrían Beltré!
And just like that…11th grade and 7th grade (and And just like that…11th grade and 7th grade (and then they drove off!)
Follow the “red light” to this one-of-a-kind e Follow the “red light” to this one-of-a-kind experience in DFW. 🚨 

Named after Bangkok’s legendary road of entertainment of all kinds (Sukhumvit Soi 11), it seems fitting this newly imagined destination would find its home in Arlington’s Entertainment District. Anchoring the NEW @loewsarlington, @soycowboytx (also from @bbbutchers / @berghospitality) recently swung open the curtain this summer with an opening that made heads turn at every corner of this 12,000 sq. ft. of sexy space - with 3 unique bars, patio, viewable kitchen and dining room. 

To call it a “Pan Asian restaurant” doesn’t do it justice with its rich menu of fresh sushi, dim sum, caviar, truffle, lobster, waygu (all things you don’t find in the home of the margarita machine and ballpark nachos.) And if you’re looking for entertainment, just take a peek into the expansive kitchen and watch your rolls or omakase be made. The cocktail menu is just as extravagant with everything from mezcal to Japanese whisky, you’re eyes will be just as happy as your lips upon your first sip. 

While we experienced live music, fashion show and more as part of the opening, the cool smoke installation and the people-watching is definitely just part of the menu at Soy Cowboy you’ll have to explore. 

Food Nerd Note: SoyCowboy is on the upcoming @dfwrestaurantweek menu for just $39, so it’s a steal to take your own trip on a budget. (Make your reservation.)

Chon mean (or what we hope is Cheers in in Thai!)
NEWS ALERT: Dallas Food Nerd is now on TV! 📺 ( NEWS ALERT: Dallas Food Nerd is now on TV! 📺 
(Well today at least.)

Normally we’re always behind the smartphone camera, today we stepped out in front of the TV screen! The lovely folks at the new morning show Morning on Merit Street @morningonmeritstreet invited DFN for a little “roundtable” discussion about dining trends with our own Food Nerd @autumnreo / @mamachallenge and Bill Trevino of @craftandvinerestaurant CraftandVine along with hosts @dominiquesachse and @fanchonstinger for a little dishin’ on dining!

(If you’re able to take a look online, keep watching to see our new friend Pearl 🐶 and friends from @sweetpearlsicecream share their incredibly sweet story with @hungreehannah!) 

✔️ And just like we shared on the show, we want to know what you think! What do you think about Table Limits on reservations? Yes restaurants should have them or no way?
Round #2: Now he’s off for CIT at YMCA Camp Grad Round #2: Now he’s off for CIT at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce! It’s hard to separate them, but we’re excited he’s so happy to be ready for this adventure!
July 4th kicked a week early! 🎆 Love when the n July 4th kicked a week early! 🎆 Love when the neighborhood shines!
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