Happymomblogger

Beat the Holiday Humbug Blues…Tips and Tricks

The Holiday season is upon us whether we’re ready for it or not. Stores have already lined their shelves with Christmas items and the lights and glitter are up. Every year it seems as if the Holiday decorations are going up earlier than the previous years as stores try to beat each other with enticing sales and products that you just have to buy – and spend half your life savings on. But the one thing I dread most is deciding what to buy for my relatives and friends. And to top it off this year with my son in a new school, he has gained more friends so I know he’ll want to pass out something for his friends too.

But each year I also promise myself to start early so that I don’t feel bogged down with last minute presents or decorations. Although I’m not big on the whole, “let’s decorate the entire house” routine, I do like to add some cheer around the house a few weeks before Christmas. For me, Christmas cheer doesn’t officially start until December 1, but hey, it wouldn’t hurt to do some things ahead of time, right? For me, the easiest way to start is with a list. I’ll start off with the basics and separate them by needs for the holiday. I’ve also compiled a list of helpful tips and tricks that should hopefully save your sanity until next February.

Holiday Survival Tips:

Shopping:

1- Make a List. Write down names of everyone you plan to buy gifts for. Then in another section write down ideas and the approximate amount you want to spend for that person. Remember to also include those you normally give holiday tips to such as a babysitter, postal carrier, hair dresser, and so forth. Every time you purchase the gift cross off that person on the list. Pretty soon you’ll see all of the gifts bought and ready.

2- Start Shopping Early. This year don’t wait until after Thanksgiving to start buying for the holidays. Keep your eyes open year round and if you see something that the recipient on your list might enjoy, pick it up and put it in a box labeled “Christmas Presents” or “Holiday Presents”. (Oftentimes if you see something at a great deal, pick it up because that item may no longer be available come Christmas time or it doesn’t go back on sale.)Then be sure to check that off your list. When December comes around you’ll be happy that you’ve saved some time and money.

3- Research your gifts online. If there are certain gifts that you want to buy but don’t know much about, do your research early. Chances are when you do finally get to your holiday shopping, the salespeople will be so busy helping everyone else that they’re unable to dedicate a lot of time to answer your hard-pressing questions. Whether it’s the newest tech gadget or what movie to buy your niece, it’s always best to be prepared before you buy something that you’re not familiar with.

4- Hit up Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals. If you can brave the throng of shoppers on Black Friday, then be sure to check out a compiled list of stores and deals: Blackfriday.org. Be cautious of Cyber Monday scams though because shady merchants know that there are those who would do anything for a good deal. Best to shop at stores you have frequented in the past and you know of their return policy.

5- Take advantage of free shipping. Some stores offer free shipping if you purchase before a certain date and without a limit. If you shop online often, be sure to keep an eye on your emails for free shipping notifications from your favorite stores. If not, sign up now to get those money saving deals in your inbox. Even if you have to order a product weeks ahead of the actual holiday, it still saves you tons of money on shipping.

6- Keep universal gifts on hand. You think you’ve finished shopping for everyone on that list and then all of a sudden your child’s best friend’s mom gives you a present – for you, not for your kid. By keeping a good stock of gifts that are not gender specific you won’t go scrambling with last minute shopping (which you’re trying to avoid) or wondering if you should re-gift something from your supply closet.

7- Make and keep homemade gifts for those who like homemade gifts or for those you didn’t expect to give a present to. Homemade gifts could be anything from seasonal fruit jams to natural soap.

8- Buy gift cards. I’m one of those people who believe that gift cards make great gifts. When you buy a gift card, you’re giving your recipient the option to choose his/her own presents which most of the time people appreciate. However, take in mind the age group you are buying gift cards for. Ages 10 – 50 are usually a good age range as older folks find it too troublesome to use and remember those gift cards. Kids younger than 10 usually prefer to unwrap a shiny, new present instead of a plastic card that doesn’t hold much dazzle. Later on they’ll appreciate the simplicity of it. If you still feel like giving a gift, include a small but meaningful gift with the gift card so that the recipient will have something to “unwrap”.

Entertaining:

1- Make a list of items you’ll be buying for your party. If you’re hosting a party this year, make a list. Start off with the theme of the party and take it from there. Include not only food but the decorations and small things like a boot scraper for your front door if you live in the snow region and umbrella stands for unpredictable weather.

2 – Keep your guest list simple. Since you’re having it at your house, you’re not obligated to invite the third cousin twice removed, unless you really want to of course. Even if you have a mansion, keep in mind that you’d have to hire some extra helping hands to handle all 100 of those guests you felt the need to invite. If you just keep it in the immediate family or extended family, the list will be a lot less of a hassle on you.

3- Prepare food that’s suitable for young children. You may want to serve that extravagant Crown Roast of Pork with Chestnut Stuffing, but the kiddos might take one look at it and think it’s a decoration and not food. Think easy to eat, delicious, and easy to prepare. Kids aren’t fussy when it comes to food and during the holiday season, they just want some good old fashioned comfort food. Of course if you do want to serve them something fancy and you have the extra time, just be sure to keep it easy on the spices.

4- If you’re ordering food for most of the meal, be sure to call at least a couple months ahead. During October and November restaurants are packed with special orders and catering requests. The sooner you get your order in, the more time the venue will have to make your order. Be sure to check in with them at least 2 weeks before your event to make sure they are up to speed with any changes.

5- Keep the fun going around. To prevent party boredom, keep your guests energetic by providing different areas of entertainment. Not everyone enjoys the same game or conversation so have all sorts of games set up like classic board games, video games, and card games – all suitable for a specific age group. Also provide snacking stations near your entertainment areas so that guests can continue with the fun until the main meal is served.

6- Make mementos of the event. If you’re like me, you want your guests to take home something to remind them of all the fun they had – right? Do this several weeks before the party and at least after you’ve made the guest list. Keepsakes could be part of your theme or part of the holiday your hosting. It could be as simple as a decorated name card they could keep to remember or as fancy(and expensive) as embossed cloth napkins with the guests names on them.

Traveling:

1 – Reserve plane tickets at least 4 weeks in advance once your plans are set. Some may argue that airlines offer last minute deals but you have to catch them at the right time and read the fine print. Oftentimes you have to travel at a certain time of the day or night or it’s only a one-way ticket where you end up paying more for the return ticket. Even if you do save a few bucks just ask yourself if you have the time to make last minute phone calls to the airlines or park in front of the computer waiting for the flight deals to come through.

2- Depending on how long you are staying at your destination, pack light and wisely. If you’re flying or driving to a region where it’s really cold, take one weather suitable jacket that can block out wind, rain, and snow. Then pack layers so that you can interchange your wardrobe. When packing your suitcase, roll your shirts and tops so you can pack efficiently. When rolled up, they are harder to wrinkle and creates more space in your luggage.

3 – Always check ahead for the weather. If you’re visiting your boyfriend’s parents for the first time and it’s in a part of the country you’ve never been to before, it’s wise to pack clothes designed to handle the weather conditions. If you’re unsure what the weather would be like months or weeks ahead, go on and ask your boyfriend since that is his hometown after all. But remember to pack at least two ensembles for the celebrations.

4- If you’re staying in a hotel, don’t opt for the hotel safe. The staff after all, has keys to that safe and although you’d think it is “safe”, it’s better to keep your valuables in a more secure area. One trick to keep your cash and expensive jewelry is hide them in a coffee mug. If someone was to look at it, they wouldn’t guess that you’re keeping hundred dollar bills in there.

5- If you’re driving your own vehicle, inspect your car thoroughly and replace or repair any leaks or damaged parts immediately. The worst part of traveling is being stranded in the middle of the desert or stuck in a snowstorm without properly inflated tires or the heater overheats. Be sure to pack an emergency kit which includes extra food, water, jumper cables, blankets, duck tape, a flashlight, reflective triangles, etc.

6- If you’re traveling with children, whether by plane or car, keep them entertained as much as possible throughout the entire journey. Kids for some reason beyond me, know just at the right time to start screaming that they’re bored while you’re trying to navigate through an icy mountain path. Bring books, games, movies, stuffed animals, extra blankets and just about anything to keep them happy and quiet and you sane and peaceful.

Remember that no matter how much you plan ahead, there will always be a couple of snaffus. No one is perfect and even if you have Martha Stewart tendencies, remember that if you and your guests are having fun, not many people will notice the turkey slightly over baked on one side and the downstairs guest bathroom doesn’t have Christmas- themed soaps and towels.

Happy Holidays everyone and take some time to enjoy life!

November 27, 2014

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Chik-fil-A Moms Club

Okay, so I don’t eat the chicken at Chik-fil-A because I’m a vegetarian but I do love their waffle fries, sundae, and lemonade. And once in awhile I order their breakfast burritos without the chicken. Either way, I was super excited when Chik-fil-A opened up a restaurant near my home many years ago. My son loves their chicken nuggets and I think the toy that comes with the Kids Meal is so much better – you usually get a book or some kind of educational activity.

As a Chik-fil-A Moms Club and part of the Moms Select Bloggers, I was invited to join this fun and unique group of moms who loves to feed their kids Chik-fil-A chicken. I was also given a challenge to “Dress Your Nuggets” using their newest Grilled Chicken Nuggets and this is what I came up with:

Mini Chicken Tacos with Cabbage Slaw

Ingredients:

8-Piece Chik-fil-A Grilled Chicken Nuggets

1 Package mini tortillas

1 Cup Cabbage – shredded

3 Tablespoons mayonnaise

1 Lime

Dash of pepper and salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

Instructions:

Warm the tortillas in the oven, stove, or microwave

To make cabbage slaw:

Mix shredded cabbage, mayonnaise, lime, salt, pepper, and sugar in a large bowl. Stir and mix well until evenly coated.

Place chicken nuggets in center of tortilla.

Spread cabbage slaw over nuggets.

Squeeze some more lime over the chicken and cabbage slaw.

Serve and enjoy!

November 19, 2014

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Chiquita Cooking Lab Contest – September 29 – November 24, 2014

Bananas – one of the easiest and tastiest fruit around. They’re great for desserts, for a quick morning breakfast, or an in-between meals snack. Whatever your reasons for eating bananas, know that they contain an incredible amount of vitamins and minerals. Not everyone likes bananas, but if you do you probably already know that not only are they sweet but they can be used in many creative recipes. You can enjoy bananas as a simple in-between meals snack or incorporate them into intricate and delicious recipes. Whatever your reasons for eating bananas, take a look at Chiquita bananas newest cooking contest hosted on their site: http://www.chiquitabananas.com/cookinglab/.

As a Moms Meet blogger, I was encouraged to enter the cooking contest using bananas as the main ingredient. I had to really think about that for a moment because it could be something super easy or incredibly complicated. I chose the middle ground given that a simple banana split might be too easy although yummy and chose instead to create a Pumpkin Pancake with Glazed Bananas and Pecans.

Each week there is a tab where the secret ingredients are revealed on the Chiquita bananas cooking lab website. I was having some trouble scratching off the tab to reveal the ingredients but once you do find out, be sure to include the secret ingredients in your recipe. This week’s secret ingredients are: Pumpkin, bananas, and pecans. A million ideas ran in my head but then when it came to execution of the recipe, I was at a loss as to what to make with these 3 main ingredients. I’m not really a pumpkin fan but I could enjoy it in a pie or a smoothie. I knew that I wanted to do something sweet as I associate pumpkins and bananas as more of dessert ingredients but I also wanted to do something that wasn’t too difficult either. My son actually liked it and he’s not a big pumpkin fan either, but with the caramelized bananas and the toasted pecans, all we had to do was drizzle a little 100% maple syrup and it was a very delicious treat!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1 egg

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 cups all purpose flour

3 tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, and oil. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

So enter today at: http://www.chiquitabananas.com/cookinglab and who knows, you might be a winner! For more info, please visit the Chiquita bananas website as well as their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram sites for more ideas.

Disclaimer:

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetSM blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

Disclaimer: The product(s)were sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on “Happymomblogger” remain unbiased and unpaid and are the sole decision of the author. The opinions of these product(s) were not influenced in any way, shape, or form. As always, please read the ingredients carefully when trying new products.

Please read the labels and ingredients carefully and follow all manufacturer’s instructions (if any). The products selected for the giveaway were generously donated by the companies/PR to help readers learn more about their products. The winner’s choice in using/consuming these products are entirely up to the winner and will not hold the author and her family liable nor the companies/PR liable. These products are made with non-toxic ingredients but always be safe with what you use and consume.

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November 10, 2014

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Calbee Harvest Snaps – Back to School Products Worth Reviewing

What is it about that first delectable crunch when you bite into a new savory snack? Is it the initial delight that lingers on your tongue or how the crisp crunchiness has just the right bite? There’s no denying that sometimes our taste buds and our tummies crave for something savory and delicious. But it doesn’t have to be limited to just good old fashioned chips. In our world of sophisticated palates and unbound curiosity to try a new cuisine, along comes a new style of “chips” that’ll literally blow the other savory snacks out of the fryer.

Allow me to introduce you to Calbee’s newest Harvest Snaps Snapea Crisps and Lentil Snaps: made with real and wholesome ingredients, baked not fried, and are high in fiber and low in sodium. They are so delicious and so addicting that you really can’t eat just a handful. If you’ve never tried baked snap peas and it sounds strange to you – don’t let the description deter you. Once you take a bite, you really have no other reason to not include them in your snack repertoire.

Harvest Snaps Snapea and Lentil Snaps (http://harvestsnaps.com/) were recently redesigned to align with the growing needs of food in America. They made their snapeas and lentil snaps healthier, with less salt, and possibly even more delicious. I’m not exaggerating when I say that their snapeas are so addictive that recently I bought a “family-size” bag at our local Costco. And of course it disappeared in just a few days. But the most important fact about Harvest Snaps Snapeas is that they are baked, and contains at least 70% of green peas. That’s a lot of peas if you’re considering adding more plant foods in your diet or you just want a healthier savory snack alternative. Green peas are full of fiber and essential vitamins and being a vegetarian, I rely mostly on legumes to give me the protein and fiber content.

Harvest Snaps are made with green peas, a bit of salt and natural oil. They do not use genetically modified ingredients and their peas are solely grown in the United States. Their products are also easy to find as you’ve probably seen them at your local grocery store or natural food stores. Their bright and beautiful bags are attention-grabbing and they come in a healthy size so you can share them and still have enough. But in our house, when we do snack, these snapea chips go pretty quickly. And the fun thing about Harvest Snapeas are their versatility. They are great with a sandwich, dipped in soups, and of course, eaten as they are and when you take a bite, they literally sing in your mouth.

The good folks at Calbee Harvest Snaps had sent me a box full of snack-sized Lightly Salted Snapea Crisps for a fundraising event I was involved in. We passed out these ultra delicious snacks to everyone who attended and the kids had a blast eating them! They kept coming back for more but being as delicious as they are, the bags ran out quick. I personally think Harvest Snapea Crisps are great for kids and make wonderful lunch treats or in-between meal snacks. They are easy to eat, fun to hold, and filled with lots of healthy ingredients and important vitamins and minerals. My son loves them and we keep them in our pantry all of the time. Yes, all of the time!

So if you’re interested in trying Harvest Snaps Snapea Crisps, you can find them in most natural grocery stores as well as supermarkets that carry natural foods. They are versatile and healthy and you might end up hooked on them too!

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November 5, 2014

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Dave’s Killer Bread – Products Worth Reviewing

With a name like Dave’s Killer Bread, it kind of makes you wonder what exactly does this Dave put in his bread? Well, as a family owned and operated company, Dave’s Killer Bread was named after a family member who turned his life around from a rebellious past. Now, Dave and his family proudly bakes and serves their bread all over the country teaching people the importance of eating healthy and making healthy choices.

Dave’s Killer Bread (http://www.daveskillerbread.com) is a complete line of organic, all-natural and whole grain bread company that prides in making the best whole grain breads available. With over 15 different types of bread to choose from, all of Dave’s Killer Bread are made with only natural and organic ingredients without any preservatives or unnecessary additives you’d find in most conventional bread. While some of the bread is a bit tough due to the whole grains, once they were toasted up they were quite delicious and versatile. I’m not a big bread eater but I do like my bread to have full of flavor and not taste bland and boring as I had found with certain conventional breads. Plus, with all the healthy nutrients found in Dave’s Killer Bread, you are naturally doing your body good by feeding it good food.

As a Moms Meet (www.greenmomsmeet.com) blogger and ambassador I was given the fun opportunity to try and review Dave’s Killer Bread. I have never tried this brand before but have seen them in natural grocery stores. Of course the name of the title intrigued me and it made me wonder if this bread was as delicious as they appear to be. When looking at the bread itself, you’ll find bits and chunks of whole grains such as organic rolled oats, organic millet, organic quinoa, organic flax seeds, organic sesame seeds, and a whole lot more of wholesome and natural goodness. All the ingredients are organically grown and sweetened with honey or molasses where necessary.

While I do enjoy eating bread now and then, I really like it when they are hearty and filling. The conventional breads are so bland and thin they’re really hard to make sandwiches with. Dave’s Killer Breads are thicker and full of whole grains so you get a mouthful of delicious nuts or seeds in every bite. My son wasn’t crazy about most of the breads, but he did enjoy the Seeded Honey Wheat. And of course my husband secretly loved all of the flavors that was sent to me as he’s more of a bread eater than I am. He tried it with peanut butter and toasted as well as a good old fashioned ham and cheese sandwich. But whatever reasons you have for enjoying bread, remember that really good and delicious bread are made with wholesome ingredients and whole grains. Dave’s Killer Bread could be a bit expensive than the other brands but they’re really worth it. With only natural and organic ingredients and made with the finest available, you really do get something truly healthy and delicious with Dave’s Killer Bread.

You can find Dave’s Killer Bread at most natural grocery stores and they retail around $5.00.

Disclaimer:

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetsSM blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of this product.

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November 5, 2014

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Frontier Soups – Products Worth Reviewing

Once in awhile there’s nothing like a good, hot bowl of soup to soothe whatever ails you. Other times, soup can be a main course for dinner or a light meal for lunch. Whatever your reasons for enjoying soup, there are times when we need a little bit of help to get them started. You’re probably thinking – how do you get soup started? Well, in the sense of making soup from scratch, sometimes we may add store bought soup base or stock to give soup that extra boisterous flavor. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that as we know in order to achieve the ultimate soup stock, it could take hours to create.

When I heard about Frontier Soups (http://www.frontiersoups.com/)and was given the opportunity to try their soups as a Moms Meet blogger, I was intrigued at all the varieties they carried. With a healthy assortment of soup mixes, Frontier Soups has a soup mix for pretty much every taste bud. They have everything from vegetarian to meat to spicy and all of them come in a convenient package where you just add milk, water, or stock and you’re good to go. Making good soup isn’t all that hard but it’s always nice to get a little extra help when you have a million other things to do that day.

Frontier Soups started 28 years ago with just one product. Then, with the expansion of more recipes and the need for creative and convenient foods, Frontier Soups grew to carry over 30 different types of soups, stews, and chili. Although I haven’t tried all of the soups yet, the ones I tried were very easy to make and to add some extra ingredients to them as well. While they are perfectly fine with whatever are included in the packages, I always like to add something unique when I have the time to cook. Soup for me can be an easy dinner fix and if you make it as a main dish, it can be quite filling as well.

Frontier Soups are made with only the finest natural ingredients without any MSG’s and all of their corn are certified GMO-free. Depending on the variety, I had to add more seasonings to my Corn Chowder to make it a bit saltier. But that’s the beauty of Frontier Soups, is that most of them have no added salt so it’s great for those who have specific dietary restrictions. And when you add in some of your own ingredients, you can really make soup enjoyable and fun! Frontier Soups can be found at most Whole Foods Markets as well as certain natural grocery stores around the country. You can also order their products on their website.

Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As aMoms MeetsSM blogger, I agreed to use this productand post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product.

http://www.topmommyblogs.com/blogs/in.php?id=storm