Jennifer

Win a $50 Walgreens Gift Card to try FlatOut Breads

February 1, 2013 by Jennifer 56 Comments

Remember my post earlier this week about the Hungry Girl FlatOut Foldit breads? I am thrilled to let you know, you are able to try out this delicious bread as we have an awesome giveaway.

First, I wanted to share one more recipe with you directly from Hungry Girl.

Very Veggie Pizza

1 Flatout Foldit 100% Whole Wheat with Flax
1/2 cup no-salt-added spaghetti sauce
1/3 cup shredded reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
Preheat oven to 350.

Bake Foldit for 4 minutes. Remove and top with tomato sauce, veggies, and light cheese. Bake for 4 more minutes. Guilt-free goodness!

This would make a quick lunch or even an afternoon snack for the kids.

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a $50 Walgreens Gift Card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post from The Motherhood and Walgreens. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

World’s Easiest Queso Dip

February 1, 2013 by Jennifer 2 Comments

The super bowl is this weekend and have a delicious dip to share with you. Honestly, we have been sneaking in this dip at least once a week. It is that easy and not to mention so delicious!

The first time we made the dip, we turned it into a taste test.

We received a shipment from Red Gold so we could try out their line of diced tomatoes. They are a family-owned company that grows some of the most sought-after tomatoes in the natural conditions of the Midwest (no hothouses). Red Gold has been around since the 1940s focusing on growing local in the Midwest where true seasons impact the flavor of tomatoes. The Midwest, while it’s cold in the winter, has the perfect growing season for tomatoes, perfect angle of the sun, perfect temps — and even the winter is good for tomatoes, as it breaks up the soil for tiny root systems. Red Gold grows its tomatoes in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. I love supporting family-owned companies so I was hoping we would not be disappointed in the taste.

World’s Easiest Queso Dip

Ingredients:

1 (10 oz) can of petite diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 pound (16 ounces) pasteurized prepared cheese product, cubed

Directions:

In microwave safe bowl combine the diced tomatoes with green chilies and cheese. Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted; stir after 2 minutes.

Serving suggestions: Serve with hot bread sticks, tortilla chips or assorted fresh vegetables.

We did the recipe once with Red Gold and once with Rotel. The winner of the taste:

3 to 1 – RED GOLD

Little Sis was a fan of the Rotel while the rest of us were fans of RED GOLD!

We are gathering up our Red Gold and Cheese for the big game Sunday. After all, It is the easiest dip and tastes so delicious.

Disclosure: A big thank you to Red Gold for sending us their line of products. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

Pepsi giving away 1 million 2-liter bottles of Pepsi NEXT!

February 1, 2013 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

Huge news to Pepsi fans. I have to say that my husband and oldest daughter are big fans of Pepsi NEXT. It is the the first cola to deliver real cola taste with 60% less sugar.

In the first quarter of the Super Bowl game, Pepsi NEXT will be debuting their hilarious new commercial. Watch closely, because at the end, they are giving away 1 million 2-liter bottles of Pepsi NEXT! This is a great opportunity for you to experience the unbelievable taste of Pepsi NEXT – if you haven’t already. If you have, then you will love scoring a free bottle!

Be sure to act fast because only the first million to sign up will get their hands on a free bottle of Pepsi NEXT.

Let the fun begin!

Trying to transition from extended co-sleeping

January 31, 2013 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

The minute I became a mom, I was a full-fledged attachment mom. At the time, I did not realize my parenting style had a name. It did not become clearer until I was doing research online when my first-born M was an infant.

Family members and friends have sent subtle messages about my co-sleeping parenting style, but I always chose to ignore them. You and your husband define your parenting style. I never try to push my parenting style on to others, and I always appreciate the same in return.

With all of that being said, I know it is time to transition from extended co-sleeping. My girls are 8 and 10. M sleeps in her own bed with no problems. She does love to have L with her and we are trying to transition L. Every single time, I am ready to do the transition, L gets sick. Is the universe trying to tell me something? For the last week, cough and asthma issues have bothered L. As all asthma parents can tell you, it is so hard to see your child launch into a coughing fit and not be able to breathe. For a few months, I thought we may be growing out of asthma issues and only dealing with her allergy issues but I guess I can eat my words now. M pleaded with L to sleep with her last night and L quickly replied back

No, because mommy is my pal. I need to sleep with her.

She learned at an early age how to charm her way to my heart. As she drifted off to sleep last night, I was up on the laptop working. She kept on rattling when she was breathing. My mind starts to worry and I just sit there listening at her breathe. After a little bit, she seemed to do better so I wrapped my arms closely around her and drifted of to sleep. I felt like I was waking up every hour on hour checking on her. At one time, I didn’t hear her making a noise breathing. It was very quiet. I put my finger under her nose and put my hand on her back to ensure she was still breathing. I still wasn’t satisfied so I lifted her arm to see if she would move. She did and was none to happy with me. At 3am in the morning, the decision was made that it was just not the right time to transition from co-sleeping. We will wait till this asthma setback passes.

I really want to transition her so Hubby and I can have the bed by ourselves but this mother’s heart is just not ready. They are only little once right?

Time to get back to the basics

January 29, 2013 by Jennifer 12 Comments

Seasons change as people change. For the first time since 1997, I will not have a “job” come next Friday. Several people have asked me if I am scared? It may be weird, but I am actually more relieved. This is a hard semester at school as I am finishing up my degree. I choose to look at it that this was all in God’s timing. He new my plate and wanted to clear part of the plate so I could concentrate on my studies. I will admit, I have had a really good four years at BabyCenter. The company has definitely helped shaped me into the person I am today. My boss has been an incredible one who gives constructive criticism. The constructive criticism has helped me both personally and professionally. The next steps from here will be exciting.

With the job gone, a big portion of our income leaves as well. My husband said it perfect when he said it was time to get back to the basics. We are in the process of downsizing to a much smaller house. The smaller house will equate to over $400 a month in savings. The satellite will be turned off which will save us over $80 a month. Our home phone has been turned off and we only use our cell phones. No more weekly out to eat visits. Am I anxious about all these changes? The answer would be NO! I am looking forward to being minimalists and growing in our faith with the Lord. All the extras are not needed to have a good life. We have really cut back the last two months as we knew the changes were coming. During the next few months, I am focusing on finishing school and blogging here and at my local blog. Writing is a great passion of mine. Due to school, work and other activities, I have not been able to write like I want to on the blogs. This will change after next Friday. We are looking forward to possibly traveling to even more locations throughout the US and just living on a lean income. It will be exciting to see how the next few months unravel. I hope you will come along for the journey.

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. ~ James 5:16b, NLT

This verse is so powerful. We can never forget the power of prayer. Prayer has brought me thus far in life and will continue to take me into the future. Prayer, faith and determination are three words that my family is choosing to hold on to as we go through this big change. Life will be different but a good different.

For now, I will enjoy my view more.

Jennifer

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