Tag: Recipe

  • Movie Night with The Dark Knight

    Movie Night with The Dark Knight

    This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
    Movie Night with Orville Redenbacher's, M&M's®, and Warner Bros. #MovieNight4Less #ad
    Most nights, we put the kids to bed, and then veg in front of our favorite TV shows. It’s almost like we have a date night every night, but it’s more just decompressing from life, without real connection. I was so excited when I found Walmart had a movie night display with Orville Redenbacher’s, M&M’s®, and Warner Bros. movies on promo sale. It was time to up our TV night to a Movie Night! 
    Movie Night for Less at Select Walmart locations #MovieNight4Less #ad

    Only available at these select stores until 11/24
    There were a lot of good choices, like The Notebook and Forest Gump, but I knew Mark would really enjoy watching The Dark Knight. A couple weeks ago Mark was working late, so I made us a special dinner to eat without the kids, so I wanted to do something similar again. A night, just for us, that wasn’t our usual. 
    Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn and the theater boxes of M&M’s® were just the inspiration I needed for our movie night. I actually got the idea for these Special Dark Brownies when I was debating about getting Forest Gump. It was an easy transition to the Dark Knight though. 
    The Dark Knight's Special Dark Brownies with M&M's® #MovieNight4Less #ad
    For these brownies, you’ll need your favorite brownie mix, your favorite flavor M&M’s® (we used peanut butter), yellow and brown Peanut M&M’s®, and Special Dark Chocolate chips. 
    Whip up your brownie batter, then fold in your favorite M&M’s®. If you’re not using a box mix, add the M&M’s® with the flour. Pour in a pan, and bake according to your recipe’s directions. 
    Mix in M&M's® to brownie batter for a special treat #MovieNight4Less #ad
    Let cool for about 5-10 minutes. Then cut into bite size pieces, place on parchment lined cookie sheet, and stick in the freezer. 
    While those freeze, you want to melt the Special Dark Chocolate. I find the best way is in a double boiler. Don’t have a double boiler? That’s OK, neither do I! I made my own with a couple of my pots that stack almost perfectly together,
    Make your own double boiler!
    Fill the bottom pan about 1/3-1/2 full with water. Place the top pan over and add chocolate chips. Turn heat on medium/low. This needs constant watching and stirring to avoid burning. Once the chocolate is sufficiently melted, remove from the heat. 
    Pull your brownies from the freezer, and pour your chocolate over the tops. I used a rubber spatula to help spread it around the sides for a more even look. Before the chocolate sets, add your brown and yellow M&M’s® to the tops. Voila The Dark Knights own Special Dark Brownies!
    We couldn’t make something for Batman without making sure he had some evil to fight. So just as The Dark Knight has his nemesis, these Special Dark Brownies have their own – The Joker’s Sriracha Popcorn. 
    The Jokers Sriracha Popcorn #MovieNight4Less #ad
    I keep seeing Sriracha around, and then my brother even was telling me I had to try it. So I bought a bottle. WOW! If you haven’t tried it yet, phew, that was the perfect nemesis to these incredibly sweet brownies. 
    You thought those brownies were fairly easy right? This is going to be even better! Grab yourself a bag of Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn, some green candy melts, and Sriracha sauce. I love the Orville Redenbacher’s because the bag turns into an awesome bowl. I got, count with me now, 1 dish and 1 spoon dirty in the making of this. No joke (ha, see what I did there…?). 
    Right, moving on. Pop that bag of popcorn. Try not to snack on it just yet. Now grab your candy melts. It’s important these are green, because come on, that’s one of The Joker’s colors. Pour a handful or two into a mug. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave again. Stir again. Do that until they are melted. It doesn’t take very long at all. Now pour over the popcorn, in the bag. Give it a little stir, or shake, just to really get it all around. 
    Now, grab that bottle Sriracha. Drizzle it over the top. Trust me, you just want this over the top. It will make it’s way throughout the bag on it’s own. 
    Jokers Sriracha Popcorn #MovieNight4Less #ad
    These will put a smile on your face the natural way. No need for elaborate story telling, or holding anyone hostage. 
    Mark and I really enjoyed a night that was more put together. I really couldn’t leave well enough alone though, so on top of it all, I grabbed a couple extra boxes of M&M’s® to enjoy as well.
    M&M's®, Orville Redenbacher's, and Warner Bros. The Dark Knight make for a perfect #MovieNight4Less #ad
    Keep up with M&M’s®, Orville Redenbacher’s and Warner Brothers Entertainment on their social media channels for more great #MovieNight4Less ideas! For sure Mark and I will be doing more of these nights!
    M&M’s®
    Orville Redenbacher’s
    Warner Brothers Entertainment
    Facebook *  Twitter  
  • Mom’s Banana Bread

    Mom’s Banana Bread

    Spread a bit of butter on my Mom’s Banana Bread for a delicious mid-afternoon snack, or even breakfast!
     

    It is getting windy and cold here in North Dakota. Growing up in New Hampshire, I actually enjoy the cold. The wind is a whole different story, though! Brrr. I remember cold days walking in the snow and ice home from the bus stop, and entering the house to smell a freshly baked loaf of banana bread. It always chased the cold away.

    Now that we walk to and from school in some pretty bitter winds, I hope to create similar memories of warmth and comfort for my kids. So I pulled out my mom’s banana bread recipe again this week. This is one recipe I will never try to alter or improve on. It’s perfect the way it is. However, you can always add a little more yummy with chocolate chips, or as I did this week butterscotch chips.

    You can see in this Instagram pic just how well loved this recipe is. 

    Now if you’ve been around awhile, I have shared the recipe in the past, back near the beginning of our Foodie Friday parties – but I had no pictures! So here’s the update with pics so you can pin it to come back whenever you feel like baking a little comfort in your home.

     

    Mom’s Banana Bread
    Chase the cold away with a warm slice of banana bread
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 cup shortening
    2. 2 cups sugar
    3. 4 eggs
    4. 5 ripe Bananas
    5. 3 1/2 cup flour
    6. not quite 2 tsp baking soda
    7. 1 tsp salt
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 300 F
    2. Cream together shortening, sugar, eggs, and bananas,
    3. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
    4. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well.
    5. Grease 2 loaf pans, and fill with dough.
    6. Bake for 75 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.
    Notes
    1. Don’t have enough bananas? Use 1 cup Applesauce in place of each missing banana.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

     

  • Pomegranate Lemonade Recipe

    Pomegranate Lemonade Recipe

    Holidays are upon us! Have Pomegranate Lemonade on hand to add to a little sparkling beverage and you’ll always have a delicious special drink to share.
    Pomegranate Lemonade Recipe

    One night, while I’m putting the kids to bed, Mark receives a phone call. When I come out, he tells me someone is coming by with some pomegranates. Cool, I say. I love Pomegranates! But why, who gets rid of Pomegranates?

    “Oh they said they bought too many, and don’t want them to go to waste”

    Sounds good to me. Though I’m not sure how anyone can buy too many pomegranates. They’re like a once MAYBE twice special fall/winter treat I allow myself. So I wait up. Expecting them to come by with maybe 4-5 pomegranates. Maybe they weren’t expecting the hard work that comes with eating this delicious fruit?

    Opening Pomegranates

    What I was not expecting were 2 1/2 boxes full with approximately 100 pomegranates! Seriously? I was most definitely in my own kind of fruit heaven. I spent the next 2 weeks…yes 2 weeks. Peeling this precious fruit and pulling out the little arils.

    Boxes of Pomegranates

    I tell you what, though, the work involved was completely worth it in the end. I have 2 quarts of frozen arils in my freezer – perfect for salads, parfaits, and adding color to other dishes – 6 pints Pomegranate Jelly, and then I took the rest and juiced them (which is no easy task without a juicer!), and made 3 quarts of Pomegranate Lemonade.

    Can your own Pomegranate Lemonade Recipe

     

    Pomegranate Lemonade
    Enjoy a delicious glass of Pomegranate Lemonade
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    Ingredients
    1. 2.5 Liters Fresh Pomegranate Juice
    2. 2 cups fresh squeezed lemons
    3. 1 1/2 cups sugar (more or less to taste)
    Instructions
    1. Combine the Pomegranate Juice, Lemon Juice and sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil, and simmer until sugar is all dissolved.
    2. Depending on how sweet your pomegranate juice is, and how tart the lemons are you can add less sugar. My pomegranates were more tart, and lacking in the sweet flavor.
    3. Pour hot juice into sanitized quart canning jar.
    4. Dip lids in boiling water for a few seconds, then place on top of jars. Secure with jar rings.
    5. Process in a water bath for 20 minutes. Let cool, and listen for a “pop” that will signify the lid is sealed.
    6. When ready to serve, pour over a cup of ice and let chill. To make it fancy, mix with sprite or similar soft drink. Great for holiday gatherings.
    Notes
    1. Sealed juice will last up to 1 year.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

    Love this recipe for Pomegranate Lemonade? Try this one for Pomegranate Stuffing

  • Ghent Waterzooi: A visit to Belgium

    Ghent Waterzooi: A visit to Belgium

    Ghent Waterzooi - a Belgian chicken stew
    When I saw we were visiting Belgium this month for Food of the World, I got pretty excited. My brother just moved his family to Brussels this summer, so I decided to pick his brain. In all honesty, when it comes to cooking, he’s probably the culinary master of our family. I asked him what he found to be the most common dish served in his short time living there, and if there was anything he particularly liked. 
    Of course his resonse was Frites – of Belgian Fries. Along with that though, would also be Mussells. Turns out there’s a very popular dish that is mussells and frites together. I debated, but really, I don’t think I should make mussells the first time I try them – they should be properly cooked by someone more experienced than me if there’s any hope I will like them. Am I right? My husband would agree. 
    Although Belgian Frites are on my menu this month, I decided to turn to the rest of the interwebs for inspiration. I came across this delicious looking recipe for Endive Gratin – but none of my local stores sell endives. So I turned to the next recipe catching my eye – Ghent Waterzooi. Named after the River ghent, because traditionally this is served with fish, that was mostly caught in the Ghent. 
    However, it is served frequently as a chicken dish as well, and since that is what I had on hand, I chose to go for a chicken waterzooi. This recipe yields 2 servings, and can be whipped up for a nice lunch, or doubled for a family dinner.

    Ghent Waterzooi

    Ingredients
    1 TBS butter
    1/2 of 1 leek, chopped
    1 celery stalk, chopped
    1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
    1 1/2 cups chicken stock
    1 egg
    1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
    salt and pepper
    green onions, sliced (optional for garnish)
    Directions
    1. Saute leek, celery, and butter in a medium sauce pan.
    2. Add chicken, and chicken stock. Cook 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan, and cut into chunks. Return to pan.
    3. Whip egg and cream together. Stir into the chicken and veggies. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook another 10 minutes. 
    4. Serve hot with bread. 
    Next month – Nov 11th – we will visit the tiny island of Malta. Start checking out recipes from this country’s cuisine. 

  • Caramel Apple Cupcakes

    Caramel Apple Cupcakes

    It’s Friday and day 5 of our Halloween Bash blog hop! Glad you could join us on this fabulous Friday for more Halloween ideas from me and my talented blogging friends! Today I’m sharing these fun, delicious, but most importantly EASY Caramel Apple Cupcakes. It’s just not Halloween without some caramel apples right?
    Caramel Apple Cupcakes
    Caramel Apple Cupcakes everyone can enjoy with less mess.
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    Ingredients
    1. Spice Cake Mix
    2. 3 Medium apples
    3. 1/4 cup brown sugar
    4. Cream Cheese Frosting
    5. Caramel topping
    6. Popsicle sticks
    Instructions
    1. Peel, core and slice 2 of the apples into bite size pieces (I seriously love my apple peeler/corer/slicer for this!). Combine the apples with the brown sugar in a frying pan. Cook up until the sugar is dissolved, and the apples are soft. Set aside.
    2. Mix the spice cake batter according to directions. Fold in the apple mixture.Fill cupcake liners 1/2-3/4 full.
    3. Bake according to the cake’s directions (or whatever spice cake recipe you’re using). Let cool.
    4. Core and slice the 3rd apple. Frost the cupcakes, top with an apple slice, and popsicle stick. Drizzle the caramel across the apples. You may actually want to do that before adding the sticks….
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

    Caramel Apple Cupcakes

    If desired, add some spooky rings for a fun party favor. Then enjoy!

    *Tip* Do not add the sliced apples and caramel until just before serving, otherwise the apples will start to brown and look unappealing. Enjoy!

     

    The fun ideas don’t stop here! Continue checking out the creative Halloween projects my blogging friends have created for our blog hop by clicking on each of the links below, for the Halloween projects you’d like to see in more detail and it’ll take you right to that post with additional information and photos on how to create it. Have fun and pin away!
    Over 110 fun & fabulous Halloween projects & ideas! #halloweenprojects #halloween #diyhalloweenideas

    1. Happy Halloween Treat Bucket
    2. Beware of the Bam-BOO
    3. Halloween Beeswax Candles
    4. Caramel Apple Cupcakes
    5. Halloween Treat Bag Tags – Free Printable
    6. Halloween Cookie Pops ~ Nutter Butter Bats & Mummies
    7. Halloween Photo Booth Props
    8. Halloween Candle Jars
    9. Ghost Candles
    10. Dollar Store Spider Halloween Wreath
    11. Healthy Halloween Class Treat
    12. Little Pumpkin Button Cards
    13. Pumpkin Playdough Mats
    14. Craft for Kids: Finger Puppet Monsters
    15. Creepy Halloween Jar Labels
    16. Halloween Party Favor and Printable
    17. Kids Halloween Lanterns
    18. Candy Box Head Skeletons
    19. Sweet & Salty Halloween Treat

    Follow our Fabulous Halloween Ideas Pinterest board for even more inspiration!

    Be sure to come back tomorrow for another 20 awesome Halloween ideas!

    Thanks to all 110+ fabulous bloggers participating! We’d love for you to visit their blogs and see what else they’re up to!

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  • Mom’s Study Snacks

    Mom’s Study Snacks

    This is a sponsored post. Product was received as compensation. All thoughts are my own.
    Lola Granola. Study snacks

    Guess what?! I passed my first class! After 8 years of not taking any formal classes, when my first final came up, I was beyond nervous. One of the wonderful things about going to school at WGU, is that it’s all online, including my tests.

    The tests are proctored by webcam, but I still get to schedule it to fit into my time. So to make sure I had a completely distraction free zone, I scheduled my test for 10:30pm. The kids would be sleeping, and Mark would be home just in case they woke up.

    The problem I ran into, was staying awake. You guys, I seriously almost fell asleep mid test! Not cool. But it turned out OK, because I passed! YAY, one class down, many more to go.

    Seeing as how I do most of my studying at night, and will probably take my tests then as well – I really needed a way to stay awake. So I’ve been snacking a ton. I’ve tried hard to avoid eating past 9, but if I’m going to go to school, then I need the energy. Instead of turning to chocolate, ice cream, and candy – I’m trying to be a little more healthy with my snacks.

    This parfait you guys! So yummy!  I got a bunch of Lola Granola bars, but found the honey in it to be a bit overpowering. There’s so much goodness in them though, with honey as the only sweetener, they are also gluten free, and non GMO. I decided to try toning down the honey a bit though in a parfait, and it was perfect. However, if you really like honey, you’ll enjoy these bars just plain.

    Lola Parfait
    Your favorite yogurt
    Lola Granola: The Ruby
    Pomegranate arils

    Layer the yogurt, crumbled granola bar, and pomegranate arils. Enjoy. The Ruby Lola bar has the perfect blend with cranberries and almonds that really adds to this parfait.

    Win It!
    Would you like to try Lola Granola? 
    Giveaway open to Continental US residents only
    Previous Lola winners ineligible
    If the giveaway isn’t loading head to this link

    What are your favorite late night snacks? Help keep me awake!!
  • Weekend Bites #3 Pumpkin Round Up

    Weekend Bites #3 Pumpkin Round Up

    Last week I shared an Apple Round Up – this week I thought it would be fun to take a look at all the Pumpkin recipes you shared. Personally, I’m not a big pumpkin fan. It really has to be used just right for me to like it. I want to like it more, I do. While I continue to refine my pumpkin taste buds, I’ll leave the love of pumpkin flavor in this house to Mark. That means I need your inspiration though so I can cook pumpkin stuff for him.

    Pumpkin Round Up
    Homemade Pumpkin Bread from Satisfaction Through Christ
    Pumpkin Soup from A New York Foodie
    Pumpkin Muffins from On the Home Front
    Pumpkin Whoopie Pies from Little House Living
    Pumpkin Pie Spice Monkey Bread from This Silly Girl’s Life
    Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies from Love Bakes Good Cakes
    Chai Tea Butterscotch Pumpkin Bread from Life with the Crust Off
    Grab a button if you were featured!
    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites

    If you’re new to Weekend Bites, here’s the run down
    1. Link up your any food related post below
    2. Browse the linky, visit some new blogs, and share if you feel so inclined. 
    3. Please only link up 3 posts. This lets us visit as many of you as possible.
    4. By linking up you give me permission to feature your photos on Home Maid Simple (always linking back to you of course!)
    5. Each month I send out a newsletter with the most popular links from that month – you may be featured!!  This is a once a month newsletter, every first Friday of the month, no spamming involved. Sign up over there ——>(the Foodie Friday one)
    6. And of course if you feel inclined, grab a button below!

    Weekend Bites
    Weekend Bites

  • Do Good Cherry Cheesecake Beignets

    Do Good Cherry Cheesecake Beignets

    I received product to write this post. All opinions are my own. 
     
    I couldn’t help myself people. I know I know, Beignets are normally left empty. I saw those little puffs of air though, and just had to get some cherry cheesecake goodness inside. I hope you enjoy. 
     
    Cherry Cheesecake Beignets #recipe
     
    Back in July, Mark was volunteering at a booth for the local July 4th activities. In the booth next to him was Robyn of My Sweet Mercy. They got to talking as people in neighboring booths do, and he mentioned this blog of mine. A business card was exchanged, and well, here we are. The following is My Sweet Mercy’s recipe for Beignets, with my cherry cheesecake filling. You can watch Robyn making them here.

     

    Cherry Cheesecake Beignets
    Fill beignets with a cherry cheesecake for a sweet treat you will love.
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    Ingredients
    1. Cherry Cheesecake Filling
    2. 1/2 cup cherry pie filling
    3. 1/4 pkg cream cheese
    4. 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
    5. Mix all together and refrigerate.
    6. Beignets
    7. 1 cup Sweet Mercy Vanilla Baking Mix
    8. 1/3 cup milk
    9. Oil for frying
    Instructions
    1. Mix together mix and milk.
    2. Roll out dough and cut into 2×2 squares.
    3. Heat oil to a sizzle.
    4. Brown beignet in the oil on both sides and then drain.
    5. Once they’ve cooled cut a little slit in the side.
    6. Fill with Cherry Cheesecake filling. S
    7. prinkle powdered sugar on top for a real treat.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
     
    My Sweet Mercy began as a cupcake shop to get Robyn through a time of severe depression. It was her “sweet mercy”. Over time she decided to close the shop, but sell the baking mixes for home use.
    Robyn is on a mission to continue spreading sweet mercies to those in need. Right now when you purchase from My Sweet Mercy, a portion is donated to Operation Underground Railroad – an organization working to save children from slavery.
    While reading Robyn’s story, which you can find on MySweetMercy, I felt like I was reading my own story. Just swap baking with blogging and there it is. Did you know I started blogging because of depression? After Princess C was born I went through my own dark time. After a lot of counseling and reading self help books, I turned to blogging when I found myself pregnant again, and wondering if the PPD would come back. My journey began at 3 Princess Academy in 2010, where I continued to share family updates until almost 1 year ago when I decided to devote my full attention here to Home Maid Simple. 
     
    Over the years I’ve often thought of quitting. Other things got in the way, I didn’t feel good enough, who has the time, “you do what??”…but I always came back to why I began. This helps me feel good. Home Maid Simple is “my sweet mercy”. And every time you all read my posts it’s a reminder to me of that. 
    Connect with My Sweet Mercy
     
  • Candy Apple Cookies and Cider

    Candy Apple Cookies and Cider

    This recipe for Candy Apple Cookies has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
     
    Fall has arrived! Well, maybe not officially, but the weather here in North Dakota has decided that it’s time for fall. I’m not complaining though. I love fall. Most especially though, I love apples – apple cider, candy apples, applesauce, bobbing for apples, picking apples, and basically all apple recipes. It’s not really fall without all these goodies. 
     
    #FlavorofFall #shop #CollectiveBias

    Probably my absolute favorite way to spend a chilly fall day is curled up by a fire, with a cup of hot cider, a plate of cookies within reach, and a good book. In order to get this ideal scene though I’ve got to do a little bit of work. I WISH I could go to an apple orchard and pick my own apples, but as far as I’ve been able to find, there aren’t any near me – for that matter I don’t see any in the whole state. So since I can’t get my apples fresh off the tree personally, I do the next best thing – I grab some apple products from Walmart.

    Motts and M&Ms at Walmart #FlavorofFall #shop #CollectiveBias

    Yes, we sure did find some Candy Apple m&m’s. These became the inspiration behind the Candy Apple Cookies made with Motts Natural Apple Sauce. We also picked up some of Motts Apple Juice to create a quick and easy Cider. Enjoy the #FlavorofFall with the following recipes.

    #FlavorofFall #shop #CollectiveBias
    Quick Apple Cider
    Easy apple cider.
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    Ingredients
    1. 64oz Motts Apple Juice
    2. 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    3. 15 whole Allspice
    4. 1/2 tsp grated lemon peel
    5. 1/2 tsp grated orange peel
    Instructions
    1. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot.
    2. Bring to a boil.
    3. Serve warm with Candy Apple Cookies!
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/

    #CollectiveBias #FlavorofFall #shop

    Candy Apple Cookies

    Candy Apple Cookies
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    Ingredients
    1. 2 3/4 All Purpose Flour
    2. 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
    3. 1 tsp Sea Salt
    4. 1/2 tsp baking soda
    5. 3/4 cup Motts Natural Apple Sauce
    6. 1/2 cup shortening
    7. 2 eggs
    8. 1 tsp apple pie spice
    9. 1 cup Candy Apple M&Ms
    10. Caramel
    11. 1/2 cup Peanut Butter M&Ms, crushed
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 375 F
    2. Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, apple sauce, shortening, eggs, and spice.
    3. Mix well and fold in the Candy Apple M&M’s.
    4. Drop by Tablespoon onto ungreased cookie sheet.
    5. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
    6. Cool completely.
    7. Meanwhile, soften up the caramel sauce and crush the peanut butter M&M’s.
    8. Dip half of each cookie in the caramel, and roll through the crushed M&M’s.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
    #FlavorofFall #shop #CollectiveBias

     

    Candy Apple Cookies #FlavorofFall #shop #CollectiveBias

    Now if you are making these with your kids and an electric mixer, remember one thing – make sure it’s off before you plug it in. Or you might end up like this

    #FlavorofFall #shop #CollectiveBias

    Oh these cookies and cider were so good. The kids especially thought it was fun dipping cookies into caramel. It adds a fun little mix to regular old cookies, and they are packed full of fall flavors.

     
    I can’t let the school kids miss out too much though, so I picked up some small juice drinks to pack in their lunches as well. Got to get them enjoying the new season as well. 
     
     
    #FlavorofFall #shop #CollectiveBias

     

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  • Get a Shot. Give a Shot® and Recipe for Vitamin C Boost

    Get a Shot. Give a Shot® and Recipe for Vitamin C Boost

    This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
     
    Making the right kind of memories #GiveaShot #shop #cbias

    Back to school time often brings up the debate of immunizations. Do you vaccinate? Do you delay them? Or do you completely forgo them?  This is obviously a personal choice for everyone, and I’m not here to judge you. Promise. Just sharing my opinions on why we choose what we do, and how you can turn a simple choice into an act of good for others.

    Alright, I want to try something with you – Take a look at your knees. A good long look.

    Alright, are we back? I bet you’re wondering what that was all about huh?  While you were looking at your knees, did you by chance reminisce about your childhood? That is what my knees always remind me of. Lots of days running through our wooded backyard, climbing trees, and flipping over my bike handles at the end of our gravel driveway.

    My knees carry many good childhood memories. My forehead on the other hand does not. If you take a close look at the left of my forehead, at the end of my eyebrow, you will find an indentation. A scar if you will from when I had the chickenpox. A time, that even though I was only 3-4, I still remember pretty clearly. It itched, I was miserable, and oatmeal in the tub? yuck! If I recall all my siblings had it at the same time too. Absolutely no fun at all for any of us, and I’m sure my parents weren’t enjoying it either.

    We can't prevent our kids from getting hurt, but we can take the right precautions #GiveaShot #Shop #cbias

    Like my knees, we can’t protect and prevent our kids from ever getting hurt. That’s just part of life, and those memories will be with us forever. However, things like chickenpox, whooping cough, and meningitis can be prevented, and I personally think should be. Unfortunately in developing countries the vaccines we have available to us in the USA are not as readily accessible. That’s why I love that by taking my kids to Walgreens for their school immunizations, we are directly helping a child receive a life saving shot.

    How? Walgreens has partnered with the United Nation Foundation’s Shot@Life Campaign. For every shot Walgreens gives, a shot is provided to a child in need. Since I can’t physically go help these children, I’m glad I can still help out by choosing Walgreens for our school immunizations. They make it easy too! No appointments are necessary, most insurances are accepted, and they will keep your primary care physician in the know.

    I want my kids to look at their knees as adults and remember that time they played foursquare and missed the ball as they took a spill into the pavement. I want them to remember learning how to learn a bike, and the time they begged me to let go before they were completely ready to go on their own. Or when they were climbing trees at Nana’s house.

    First Aid Kit To Go #GiveaShot #shop #cbias

    Since we can’t prevent bad things from happening, we can be ready for those scraped knees and common colds. I picked up this cute Johnson & Johnson first aid kid to go the other day with Princess R. It was timely too, since Princess C then came home with scraped up knees and asking for clean bandages. It also fits handily into the back of the stroller – it never ceases to amaze me how many times my kids get hurt just walking down the sidewalk.

    For colds and sore throats, I love making this Vitamin C Boost. Seriously, if I had not been so sick and stressed from moving I would have picked the ingredients up for me. As it is, now I have it all whipped up to get the kids and Mark over their colds.

    Vitamin C Boost
    Keep the colds at bay with this boost of Vitamin C
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    Ingredients
    1. Ingredients
    2. 1 cup Tang, or orange drink powder
    3. 2/3 cup sugar
    4. 2 tsp lemon peel
    5. 6 whole cloves, crushed or 1/4 tsp ground cloves
    6. 1/2 tsp Saigon Roasted Cinnamon
    7. Hot Water
    8. Cinnamon Sticks – optional
    Instructions
    1. Mix the drink powder, sugar and spices together.
    2. Store in an airtight container, or in the freezer.
    3. Boil water.
    4. Add 1TBS drink powder to a cup of hot water.
    5. Stir with a cinnamon stick (optional), and drink.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
     
    Vitamin C Boost #GiveaShot #shop #cbias
     
    Will you Get a Shot to #GiveaShot ?