Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy...Life as a working mom with three boys!

Are You Prepared

2012-02-24T12:06:00.001-06:00

Lake Shore Drive, Chicago IL snowpocalypse 2011 photo credit

In most areas of life I think I'm pretty much a skeptic. I wouldn't say I'm a pessimist. I prefer to think of it as being a realist. But for some reason when it comes to weather type stuff I seem to prefer to just be in denial. Maybe it's because I've never really experienced serious weather related problems but I really just ignore the weather. Last year it ended up catching up to me a bit.
One morning on the way to work I was running out of gas. My gas light came on just about half way to work and was going to stop but then I noticed some serious storm clouds rolling in. I decided I could make it to work and to a gas station after the storm had cleared. I just made it into the parking lot when the storm let loose and just inside the front door when the winds kicked up enough to bow the glass that covered the front of the building. It passed quickly and left us without power. I sat there in the dark without power or cell reception for awhile before my boss called it a day. Being just of a major road I could see that the traffic was backing up because the signals were out. I was slightly nervous about making it to a gas station without issue. I found a gas can in the shop and tried to get the last few drops out of it into my tank and headed on my way. I found that station after station was closed because they too had lost power. And traffic was barely moving. I literally prayed the whole way home as I didn't find a single place to stop to fill up. Once I was home my husband took my car out and thankfully found a place and waited in line for awhile without running out of gas. Our power was out for about 6 hours that day (possibly the longest I've ever experienced) but many in our area were without power for three or four days. And that was just the first in a string of bizarre storms last spring.

You would think with spring approaching I'd be considering preparing at least a little. I mean, I rarely know where a flashlight or candle is in our house. We never have more than two or three days worth of food and we NEVER have extra water on hand. But I think I might have to work on that. For me I think I avoid it because it's scary to really stop and think about the 'what ifs' in order to prepare for them. If you are like me and are totally unprepared, consider checking out the Emergency Food Storage Pros, their site has a ton of great information to plan ahead or to keep in mind when you find yourself in an emergency situation. There's no reason to live like Chicken Little and be convinced the sky is falling, but maybe its not wise to live like I do assuming it can't possibly happen and end up being totally unprepared.

Hank Player Review

2012-02-24T03:30:00.000-06:00

I have some handsome kids! There, I said it! Honestly, it's not hard to make my boys look good!

They aren't particularly picky about what they wear. But I still think it's fun when they wear things that really capture them. These great, super soft shirts from Hank Player did just that! When Timmy spotted the Boy Genius one, he was a little hesitant. But after putting it on, he was definitely strutting his stuff and even attempted to wear it a second day in a row so he could show it off to his friends.

Johnny's 'player' shirt could definitely apply to his adorable smile and personality that had girls kissing on him in KINDERGARTEN, I like to think of it as referring to his video game obsession!

And then there's Bryan, who while you might never guess it by this photo (because I put him on a tall bar stool and he was slightly panicked) is quite the character. He has an incredible sense of humor for his age and already enjoys plays on words. So this YO (with a picture of a yo-yo) shirt is perfect for him.

But as the mom my favorite part is that they washed well and that they are seriously soft. Like fun to squeeze my boys (as if I needed more reason to) soft tshirts!

But Hank Player has way more than just boys stuff, they also have shirts and accessories for girls, babies and men.

Find Hank Player online

Stouffer Farmers Harvest Event #StouffersTrip

2012-02-23T01:30:00.000-06:00

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to take my first press trip. I left early Monday morning and was picked up at the airport in a beautiful Escalade (I currently have a mild obsession with these sexy vehicles) and taken to Springhilll Suites just outside of Cleveland, OH. What a fabulous hotel room.

My early arrival gave me the chance to get in a great workout in the hotels fitness center and then take a nice long shower and take my time getting ready for the evening.

Before I was done getting ready, a fabulous surprise arrived at my room....

Check out these goodies. Lots of tastey things I didn't even know Nestle made. And why yes that IS a Nikon Coolpix!

That evening we were picked up from the hotel and taken to the Nestle frozen food headquarters.

For the evening we were paired up with Stouffers chefs (and given our own, personalized chef jackets) to help prepare the evenings meal.

I helped make these lamb chops. They were really good, much thanks to the chef though as I only really grilled them. (Ok, helped grill them, just slightly longer than it took to take the photo above.)

And the other event attendees helped create some of these delightful dishes. (Confession, I did not even attempt to track my Weight Watchers points for this evening but I lost 5 pounds that week anyway)

I was going to be good and pass on dessert but it just looked so good I figured one small piece wouldn't kill me.

After dessert and a little more chatting we were taken back to the hotel for the evening. The next morning after some breakfast at the hotel and checking out, we returned to Nestle. There we went through a brief version of sensory training that Nestle employees go through. This was super interesting. We learned about the parts of taste and the types of taste. And I confirmed that I do NOT enjoy bitter tastes (IE why I do not enjoy dark chocolate or wines) and learned that it is most likely because I have a high concentration of bitter taste buds. This also seems to mean I have a LOW concentration of salty taste buds, hence my overuse of salt!

We learned about a lot of variables that go into perception of taste and how they minimize these when they do product tastings. It was a very interesting session!

And then we lunch and more learning. We learned about trends in food and culture and how that translates into marketable products.

This was a sampling of customization of food. Main dish above and add on choices below. So yummy!

And we learned about how sometimes the WAY something is cooked is the key to the appeal. This steamed fish was part of the inspiration for the new steamed Farmer's Harvest products.

And then we got to try two of the new varieties

These single serving (plated amount is a VERY small fraction of the serving because we were trying so many things in one sitting) frozen entrees were really good. The veggies stay crisp and the noodles al dente. And the sauces are rich and full of flavor.

And then we wrapped up with another fabulous dessert while they set out our final surprise. We were each given a fabulous Nespresso machine!!

Thank you so much to Stouffer’s for hosting me for this two day event. I had a great time, learned a lot and enjoyed some amazing food!Look for the new Farmers Harvest items in your local grocers freezer section soon!!!

Relay For Life Luminaria Sponsored Video

2012-02-22T10:59:00.000-06:00

If you've never taken part in a Relay For Life you may not be able to truly understand the power of the event and specifically the Luminaria ceremony.

The site of so many lights glowing in the night, each representing a person, a mother and father, a sister or brother who has fought cancer is emotional and powerful. While much of the time spent at Relay For Life is uplighting and positive, the Luminaria ceremony is a somber time when we honor those who have battled and remember those who have lost. Each year that we attend Relay For Life the Luminaria ceremony becomes more and more emotional as we continue to lose loved ones to this horrible disease. But by taking part in Relay For Life, we join together, to become bigger than cancer, to show the world and one another that we are united. We comes together to see the joy on the faces that have battled and won and to fight for a cure so that our kids won't have to fight!

To find out more or find a Relay For Life event in your area, visit www.relayforlife.org today.

Zumba Kicks A$$

2012-02-21T11:19:00.004-06:00

Or at least, Zumba kicks MY a$$, in the best possible way though! Last night I went to Zumba for the third time. (After I spent about 45 minutes in the gym to 'warm up.') I am NOT a dancer. Seriously 1,2, 3 what? I can't keep a beat for anything. And I'm not totally sure my feet or hips will ever be able to really do some of the moves but it keeps me moving and I still FEEL it the next day. But the best part for me is how quickly the time flies.

If you are someone who bores easily, I would highly recommend Zumba. But mostly, just stop making excuses and go find something you like.

I have been doing a wide variety of things from walking, to using weight machines, free weights and stationary bike. I need a variety!

I still don't SEE it yet...but I'm down 12 pounds and 12 inches (over all)!

Trust me, if I can do it, YOU can too!

If you want to learn more about Zumba, click here. Or check out this quick intro video to a couple basic steps.

Bleacher Moms Blog

2012-02-16T03:00:00.000-06:00

I have started a new blog. I hope to create a great place of r moms of young athletes to find information and community. It is brand new so there isn't a ton there yet but it will be growing with post from not only myself but many other great moms (bloggers and nonbloggers). If you have a child in sports, I hope you'll check it out. And if you have something you'd like to share, I am welcoming posts!

BleacherMomsBlog.com

Bleacher Moms on Facebook

Bleacher Moms on Twitter

“Discover the Adventure” Treasure Hunt Contest from Pump It Up

2012-02-15T09:00:00.002-06:00

Pump It Up is having a Treasure Hunt on its Facebook page on today!

Go “like” them on Facebook and follow along all day TODAY (2/1/5/12) to get all 10 code words. Then you can enter to win a free Adventure Party for your child – a new kind of party that adds a layer of imagination to an awesome Pump It Up birthday party.

The first word is "ENCOURAGE"
The second word is "ACTIVE"
The third word is"IMAGINATIONS"
The fourth word is "WITH"

I occasionally receive compensation in the form of gift cards and products for posts. However, the opinions I share are solely my own.

What’s in a Name?

2012-02-14T13:48:00.001-06:00

photo credit

When I was little, I was an only child. I was often bored and lonely despite my ever present parents. I LONGED for a puppy. As a parent now, I realize that I of course knew nothing of the responsibility of the dog. But I thought it would be great to have someone/thing to play with. I begged for a dog and just before my fifth birthday my parents took me to a shelter in search of a puppy. There we found the ugliest dog I have literally ever seen. This dog was every color under the sun and had both long and short hair but in random spots. But that ugly dog had an adorable litter of puppies. Many of them were already spoken for but I fell in love with the all white, runt of the litter. A sweet little female whom the shelter employees tried to steer me away from afraid that because they were still so new that she might not even make it. But I assured them that SHE was the one that I wanted. So my parents filled out paperwork and we had to wait a few weeks to go back and bring her home. When we were able to bring her home she was still small enough to fit in the palms of my hands. Mind you I was 5! She was little. But she was loved! By a 5 year old! Who also happened to be given full freedom to name her. And unfortunately for her, I knew exactly what to name her. You see for some strange reason, at five years old I was also in love with the show Hart to Hart. This series was about about a wealthy couple who basically liked to play detective. Sort of like a Castle of the 80s, but not quite so graphic. Anyway, the couple on this show had an adorable dog (who by the way looked nothing like MY dog) whom they'd named "Freeway" because they'd found him on the side of...can you guess? Yes, that's right, the freeway. So my heart was set on naming my dog Freeway. I don't recall my parents trying to convince me otherwise. I'm not sure if that's because I was so set on it, or if they really didn't think it was that bad. But Freeway grew into a terrific dog who never really got into any trouble. She lived just over 15 years, and stayed with my parents as I went off to college and then moved out into my own place. But in the mean time, especially in my early teen years, I often wondered, why the heck they'd let me name her Freeway. People would regularly look at me sideways when I told them her name. Sometimes they'd assume we too had found her on the freeway, or they'd seem to assume we were just a little off. But if they held still long enough I'd go into my long rambling story about how she got her name...sort of like this post!

What are your pets' names? Have you ever had an oddly named pet?

Today, I am talking about my beloved animal as a part of the “What’s in a Name?” Campaign hosted by dog bark collar.

Who Makes You Smile?!

2012-02-14T00:30:00.001-06:00

TopDentists.com wants to know!

Enter a photo of the person who makes you smile for your chance to win!

The grand prize is an all expenses paid trip to NYC for a teeth whitening session with one of our Top Dentists, plus $1,000 in spending money and a professional photo session for you and your guest. We are also giving away daily prizes including teeth whitening kits from Love That White Smile and chances to win teeth whitenings in various cities around the country.

All the contest details can be found here:
http://www.topdentists.com/smile

Contest ends Feb 24th...enter now!

Happy Valentine's Day #ValentinesDay

2012-02-14T00:30:00.000-06:00

What do you do to celebrate Valentine's Day?

Monster Jam Rocks

2012-02-13T12:28:00.000-06:00

This weekend we braved the nasty roads to make our trek to the Allstate Arena to see Monster Jam!

I think my husband could have used a Prozac after the trip but we made it, and in pretty decent time even. After a quick stop for dinner we were ready for some monster truck fun. And that's just what we got.

Last year was out first time at Monster Jam so I wasn't sure how different it would be this year. When we arrived I was surprised to see that the layout of the arena was actually quite different. And the entertainment that took place between the competitions was switched up as well. I won't ruin the surprised but will say that there was some serious high flying fun!

Once again, Bryan's favorite was Monster Mutt. But the night went to Grave Digger who won 2 out of 3 contests and only missed the third because of 5 point penalty!

If you've never been to Monster Jame, check out this quick video to get a little taste of the fun. (There's not sound on the video because my poor camera's mic couldn't handle the volume.)

Disclosure: We did receive complimentary tickets to this event. All opinions expressed are my own honest, personal feedback.

Me and Jennifer Hudson

2012-02-13T09:32:00.000-06:00

photo credit

No, I can't sing like Jennifer Hudson, who by the way was no Whitney Houston on last nights Grammy's but given the situation I think she did a damn good job. But, no, Me and Jennifer Hudson, we were both strong before Weight Watchers, but we're stronger with it! I was reluctant to publicly proclaim my latest attempt to commit to being healthier. You see, I've announced it before and gone...well nowhere. But this time, I got the tools and I've been doing it. For REAL!

I started on January 11th. I signed up for Weight Watchers. I didn't have a scale until the 17th so I'm not really sure how I did that first week but since the 17th I have lost 10 pounds!! I have joined a gym and for reasons I can only attribute to peer pressure, I even tried (and enjoyed) Zumba. In fact, I'll be going to Zumba again tonight. Ten pounds it pretty much a drop in the bucket of the 130lbs I want to lose but working out and controlling what I eat already has me feeling better...stronger!

If you want to follow along with my journey, including my whining about sweating and hurting from workouts, check me out on Twitter. I tweet with the #Mamavation hashtag and LOVE the other Mamavation ladies. So this week I've decided to join in on Mamavation Monday...this week's Mamavation question is..

What is your favorite way to relax?

Honestly my truly favorite way to relax is a nice long bath. But since my bathtub isn't designed for anyone over 4 feet tall or 70 pounds, I settle for long hot showers. I love listening to music while I shower but again, tiny bathroom, no counter space etc means no radio in the bathroom. So these days I'm just content if I can have an uninterrupted shower. With out someone barging in to pee (one bathroom five people) or banging on the door wanting me to find something for them, even though they are certain it is NOT in fact IN the bathroom!

Check out how other #Mamavation moms like to relax here.

“This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

Make a Weeknight Meal Special with Bertolli Meal Soup

2012-02-11T20:32:00.003-06:00

From Bertolli is a new line of Bertolli Frozen Meal Soups

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website

Chicken Minestrone - Roasted white meat chicken, beans, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, tomatoes and pasta in a hearty vegetable broth

Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken - Cheese-filled tortellini, white meat chicken, spinach and tomatoes in a rich tomato bisque with a hint of basil

Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta - Roasted white meat chicken, pasta, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and celery in a savory chicken broth

Tuscan-Style Beef with Vegetables - Tender beef, mushrooms, yellow squash, zucchini, carrots and celery with bowtie pasta in a savory broth

Bertolli Frozen Meal Soups are hearty and fresh-tasting with vegetables, meats, pasta and herbs individually flash frozen at the peak of freshness.
• Bertolli Frozen Meal Soups are available in the frozen aisle, and can be prepared on your stovetop in minutes.
• Bertolli Premium Meal Soups for Two are available in 24 oz. packages, and with the addition of one cup of water, yield 32 oz. of mouthwatering soup.

While I think all the varieties sound good I really wanted to try Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken but after two trips to the store, was unable to find it. But they did have all three of the other selections and a spot for the Tomato Florentine & Tortellini with Chicken so I am guessing that is just the most popular. I went with the Roasted Chicken & Rotini Pasta. Because the Bertolli Frozen Meal Soups serve two, I made it just for my oldest son and I. As soon as I opened I noticed that it looked different from other prepared soups. Obviously its frozen but the liquid is frozen separately which keeps the pasta and veggies from ending up mushy once its all heated.

My son wanted to spice it up, although I don't think it really needed it at all but he has an interest in cooking so I've been trying not to hinder that. He wanted to add some pepperoni we had left over so we chopped it up and threw it in.

It made two big cups full of soup. And it had the best flavor I think I've ever had from a heat and serve soup. This, in my opinion, truly is a case of being restaurant quality at home. It was quick AND delicious, a big win in my book!

It disappeared almost as quickly.

With Bertolli Meal Soup it was 'souper' easy to make a special weeknight meal for just one of my boys and I. With our mugs full tasty soup we snuggled up on the couch and still had time left before bed to watch a movie together! As a working mom, weeknights are tough so anything that can help me get out of the kitchen and spending valuable time with my kids is great!

About Bertolli:
With a brand heritage dating back 150 years to Lucca, Italy, Bertolli celebrates the authentic restaurant-quality Italian dining experience. Through their variety of pasta sauces, frozen meals and olive oils, Bertolli brings flavors reminiscent of kitchens of notable Italian chefs.

I was compensated by Bertolli to participate in the Weeknight Meal Special Challenge.

Teaching Your Kids to Be Healthier Eaters

2012-02-10T15:10:00.000-06:00

Photo credit: hotblack from morguefile.com

A serious weight epidemic has been afflicting American children in recent decades. Thanks to the popularity of inactive pastimes and the increasing availability of unhealthy foods, kids now have the ability to consume many more calories and burn off many less. The long-term result is a significant nationwide rise in Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes can be treated and subdued, but we certainly don’t want our kids to someday need to refinance their mortgage or take out home loans simply to pay for medical treatments that stem from unhealthy eating habits.

While the average child should not have to worry about their fat intake, it is therefore still important that parents teach healthy eating habits to their children. How can this be done? If you want an approach that carries with it the most long-lasting benefits, you’re going to want to instill in your kids an awareness, ownership, and a responsibility when it comes to food.

Here are a few tips for conveying these values:

-Turn grocery shopping into a game. When at the grocery store, you can give your children responsibility over their food by letting them pick out what food items they want to buy. But make sure to give them rules; for example, they might need to collect foods that aggregately have a certain amount of protein, fiber, calcium, or potassium. They might have to select a few fruit or vegetable items. You may also want to give them a ceiling when it comes to fat or sodium content. If the rules are laid out appropriately, your children will likely pick out a number of foods that are healthy and a few that are not. This teaches them to have balance in their diets.

-Have them help in the kitchen. Even a younger child can help you out in the kitchen by measuring ingredients, mixing vegetables, or rolling dough. Giving them these tasks while you make dinner can be a great opportunity to spend some more time with your kids and maybe even get the meal assembled quicker. It also gives them a first-hand exposure to the food process, one that can instill in them a greater awareness of healthy eating habits.

-Diversify their food expose. Many children like “junk food” in large part because they simply haven’t been exposed to a wide enough range of healthy foods to find something that they like. Exposing your kids to a variety of foods at a younger age can help them foster an interest for something more than cookies and candy. It can also give them an appreciation and sophistication as they grow older.

These are just a few of the many ways that a parent can teach food responsibility and health to their child. While feeding your kids broccoli for dinner every night may make them healthier eaters in the short run, it’s important that they also hold long-term eating values that embrace a healthy diet.

7 Simple Chicken Recipes for Working Mommies

2012-02-08T15:49:00.002-06:00

Between a 40-hour workweek, three school-age children with demanding schedules, and a never-ending list of household chores (try delegating!), I barely have time to take a shower (took one today, thank you very much!). While I have good intentions to be the perfect wife, mother and employee, I fall short of perfection every day. Let’s face it: I’m lucky to just get through the week! If your life is equally chaotic and you are looking for ways to cut corners, try these seven simple and fabulous chicken recipes. I can’t promise you’ll have time for a shower today, but I can promise a delicious dinner tonight.

Fast Chicken Stir-Fry

If you’re on the lookout for tasty (and easy) chicken recipes, this stir-fry meal is a great place to start. The angel hair pasta combines beautifully with broccoli florets and Asian Toasted Sesame dressing—the entire family will be asking for seconds!

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1/2 lb. angel hair pasta (capellini), uncooked

2 cups small broccoli florets

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

1/2 cup Asian Toasted Sesame dressing

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/4 tsp. each ground ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper

1/3 cup chopped dry roasted peanuts

Directions

Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 min.

Meanwhile, spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until done, stirring occasionally. Stir in dressing, soy sauce and seasonings; cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

Drain pasta mixture; place in large bowl. Add chicken mixture; mix lightly. Serve topped with nuts.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

You can’t go wrong with the French classic and incredibly scrumptious Chicken Cordon Bleu. A staple among chicken recipes, this delightful dish is filling and packed with protein. Serve with fresh green beans and you’ve got a simple and oh-so-satisfying supper.

Servings: 6

Ingredients

1 pkg. (6 oz.) Stove Top Lower Sodium Stuffing Mix for Chicken

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)

6 slices deli ham

1 can (10-3/4 oz.) reduced-sodium condensed cream of chicken soup

1 Tbsp. honey mustard

6 Swiss cheese slices

Directions

Heat oven to 400ºF.

Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package.

Place chicken in 13x9-inch baking dish; cover with ham. Mix soup and mustard; spoon over chicken. Top with stuffing.

Bake 25 minutes or until chicken is done (165°F). Top with cheese; bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Make-In-Minutes Fettuccine Cacciatore

Despite your hectic day, it’s important to enjoy dinnertime with those you love. Win the

hearts of your family with mouthwatering chicken recipes like this one. From fresh green

pepper and mushrooms to zesty Italian dressing and Italian cheeses, this dish will soon

become a family favorite.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

1/2 lb. fettuccine, uncooked

2 tsp. oil

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1 cup each green pepper strips and sliced fresh mushrooms

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

1/4 cup Italian dressing

1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir 5 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink. Add peppers and mushrooms; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes and dressing; simmer on medium-low heat 5 minutes or until chicken is done.

Drain pasta. Toss with chicken mixture; top with cheese and basil.

Herb-Roasted Chicken with Cream Cheese

What do you get when you mix cream cheese, rosemary and garlic with a whole chicken? This flavorsome recipe that your family will request time and again. Herb-roasted chicken may sound complicated, but it will top your list of easy chicken recipes—guaranteed.

Servings: 6

Ingredients

6 oz. (3/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) cream cheese, softened

1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary leaves

4 cloves garlic, minced, divided

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 whole roasting chicken (3-1/2 lb.)

1 lemon, halved

1/4 cup olive oil, divided

2 large baking potatoes (1-1/2 lb.), peeled, cut into chunks

2 sweet potatoes (1-1/2 lb.), peeled and cut into chunks

Directions

Heat oven to 375ºF.

Mix cream cheese, rosemary, half the garlic and pepper. Starting at neck of chicken, use handle of wooden spoon or fingers to carefully separate skin from meat of breast, thighs and legs, being careful not to tear the skin. Spoon cream cheese mixture under skin; use fingers to spread mixture out to thighs and legs. Place lemon halves into cavity of chicken. Place chicken in shallow pan. Brush with 2 Tbsp. oil.

Toss potatoes with remaining oil and garlic in separate pan. Bake chicken and potatoes 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours or until chicken is done (165º F), stirring potatoes every 30 minutes.

Transfer chicken to large serving dish, reserving juices in pan. Let chicken stand 10 minutes. Spoon potatoes around chicken. Skim fat from reserved juices in pan; discard fat. Spoon juices over chicken and potatoes.

Poppyseed Chicken Salad Crunch

If you are a health nut like I am, then you are continuously searching for nutritious chicken recipes. I enjoy salads that have a nice crunch to them, and this certainly meets—and exceeds—my expectations. It’s best to serve this chicken salad fresh, as time in the refrigerator can result in wilted slaw.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

4 cups broccoli slaw

2 large red peppers, thinly sliced

4 carrots, shredded

1 can (8 oz.) pineapple tidbits, drained

1 pkg. (6 oz.) oven-roasted deli chicken breast

1/2 cup creamy poppyseed dressing

1/4 cup cashews

Directions

Combine all ingredients except dressing and nuts in large bowl.

Add dressing; toss to coat.

Top with nuts just before serving.

Chicken Barbecue Sandwiches

Some nights you’re just in the mood for a sandwich, and this is the perfect chicken recipe to satisfy your craving. Low in calories and full of flavor, chicken barbecue sandwiches are versatile (think lunch and dinner) and easy to make.

Servings: 4

Ingredients

3 cups water

1 large red onion, sliced

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/3 cup white vinegar

1/4 tsp. black pepper

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

4 whole wheat sandwich rolls, partially split

4 American cheese slices

Directions

Bring water to boil in large saucepan. Add onions; cook 5 minutes. Drain. Place onions in medium bowl. Add sugar, vinegar and pepper; mix well. Cover. Refrigerate until ready to use, stirring frequently.

Meanwhile, combine chicken and barbecue sauce in saucepan; cook on medium heat 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring frequently.

Spoon about 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture onto bottom half of each roll; top with 1 cheese slice and 1/4 cup of the onions. Cover with tops of rolls.

Mexican Cheesy Chicken

It’s easy to feel stumped when it comes to creative chicken recipes, but this dish never gets old. Combine cream of chicken soup, cheddar cheese, taco seasoning and milk, then spoon over chicken, top with corn chips, and bake for a half hour. Voilà—dinner is served!

Servings: 6

Ingredients

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/2 lb.), pounded to 1/4-inch-thickness

1 can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup

1-1/2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese, divided

1/2 cup milk

1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) taco seasoning mix

2 cups corn chips

4-1/2 cups cooked rice

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chicken in 13x9-inch baking dish.

Mix soup, 1 cup of the cheese, milk and seasoning mix until well blended; spoon over chicken. Top with chips; cover.

Bake 30 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake, uncovered, an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with rice.

Season Two of The Voice premieres February 5th

2012-02-03T12:41:00.000-06:00

The second season of The Voice premieres Feb. 5, directly after the Super Bowl on NBC! Did you watch last season? I really enjoyed it despite my initial hesitation. It has been the only American Idol like show that has kept my attention yet!

I am very much looking forward to seeing this new season and excited that not only are all for judges back but also thrilled to see some of the musical 'advisors' for this season!! Check them out...

Will you be watching The Voice this season?

Day 3 #FEBPHOTOADAY

2012-02-03T09:49:00.000-06:00

3. hands

Want to join in...

New Grocery Shopping Habits #HFExtendedFamily

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-06:00

I LOVE to shop. I could spend days if not weeks shopping. Online, at the mall, it doesn't matter I love to shop. UNLESS it's grocery shopping. For some reason I have an issue with grocery shopping. I think it's partly a laziness factor and partly because as much as I DO enjoy eating, I don't love cooking.

So my solution to not liking it, was avoidance. I would often stop for the bare minimum we needed at the house. And then once in a great while I would make one huge trip to stock up on shelf stable items. This meant two things: 1. we were forever out of something to make a meal I had in mind and often led to me grabbing something at the drive-thru. 2. It meant we rarely had good fresh fruits and veggies.

This year I have committed to doing better. And I have been doing pretty darn well. I make about two trips to the store a week, alternating better a couple stores that I frequent. Almost every stop at the store includes some fresh fruits or veggies, low fat dairy products and lean proteins. I work with a list, and while I have used a list, for the most part for awhile I now work harder to stick to it. I used to turn a three item list into a 20 items purchase. And most of those extra items were calorie filled sugary or salty snacks. Now that I've cut back, I thought my family might stage a revolt. But I haven't eliminated treats entirely just cut way back. And because we're eating more fruits and vegetables we more satisfied.

Because I also started actively watching what I'm eating, I'm trying to cook more at home so I can actually know what the nutritional values are.

One thing that we tried that was super easy and a HUGE hit with my family was a fun take on pizza rolls. I made these using Hormel Pepperoni (I should have used the turkey pepperoni but was afraid they wouldn't try it if I did), low at sting cheese and low fat crescent rolls. Warm some pizza sauce for dipping and enjoy.

Inspired by this post

Have you made goals to eat healthier this year? Have you found any Hormel Foods products that work into your goals well?

Day 2 #FEBPHOTOADAY

2012-02-02T12:41:00.004-06:00

2. words

Want to join in...

Win Tickets to the Second Annual Girls Night Out -- Go Red for Women

2012-02-02T11:23:00.001-06:00

How you like to join me for the Second Annual “Girls Night Out -- Go Red for Women” event presented by WBBM Radio, K-HITS, B96 and Sassy Moms in the City?

I attended this fabulous event last year thanks to Sassy Moms in the City and this year they have graciously invited me back AND are offering a pair of tickets to one of my lucky readers (tickets are $30 each).

If simply getting out and supporting a fabulous cause doesn't sound like reason enough to Go Red with me. This event is going to be a fabulous night out on the town -- complete with a red carpet, fashion show, cocktails, hor d'oeurves, mini beauty treatments, shopping, raffle prizes, a swag bag and more! Last year I received a fabulous bag that I still get compliments on regularly, a mini massage and my first ever no chip manicure.

And this year I'm super excited by some of the special guests...of CBS Radio such as Nikki, Showbiz Shelly and Rebecca Ortiz from B96, and Eddie and Jobo from K-HITS. I listen to B96 every morning and adore Showbiz Shelly and Eddie and Jobo totally take me back to my high school days. (Sorry guys don't mean to make you feel old, we can all pretend like high school was just last year.)

This is seriously an amazing evening of fun for a purpose! Read more about my experience last year here.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiatives. Guests are encouraged to wear red and bring a gently used hand bag or professional shoes to donate to Dress for Success, a non-profit dedicated to providing career development to low-income women.

VIP Tickets are $30 and available online at http://beboldgored2012.eventbrite.com/, via email sassymoms@metromeg.com or by calling 800-320-2289 x1. Ticket proceeds benefit the American Heart Association Go Red for Women initiatives.

Enter to win a pair of VIP Tickets below. Winner will be notified on February 16th.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Alhambra Palace Restaurant

1240 W. Randolph Street

Chicago, IL 60607

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to Sassy Moms in the City for the opportunity to enjoy this fabulous event again this year!

Earn a $10 Gift Card with P&G products at Sam’s Club in February #Giveaway

2012-02-02T10:42:00.000-06:00

Don’t miss out on precious moments by wasting hours at the grocery store and fussing over budgets. Discover an easy way to save on baby essentials from P&G by buying them in bulk at Sam’s Club® this February! Purchase all the basics for baby at your local Sam’s Club store to save time and money with this limited-time $10 Gift Card offer.

Stock up on P&G products at Sam’s Club in February so you can afford to give your baby quality products and a little more mommy time
Pick up any two of the following baby products to receive a $10 Sam’s Club Gift Card toward your purchase made between Feb 1st and Feb 29th:

Pampers® Swaddlers® or Pampers Cruisers® Diapers
Pampers SoftCare™ Scented Baby Wipes
Similac® Advance® Powder or Similac Sensitive® Powder
Dreft® Liquid Laundry Detergent

Ok, so I admit, I should NOT still be buying diapers. My 'baby' is about to be four this month. But for whatever reason my boys have all been beyond difficult to potty train, so I really just sit back and let them tell me when they are ready. With son #2 it meant he went until he was 4 and some month but then one day it was just done. He decided he was done with diapers and I can count how many accidents there were on one hand. So YES I am still buying diapers for my 4 year old. I COULD buy some type of pull on disposable training pants but they are more expensive and if he's not actually TRAINING, why waist the money. But even once he's done with diapers, and I can say goodbye to them for good after over 9 long years...I will STILL keep baby wipes around. They simply make life as a mom easier, especially on the go.

Enter to win a prize pack that will contain:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Two Sam’s Club Gift Cards with a total value of $25

Disclosure: The Sam’s Club Gift Card and information have been provided by Sam’s Club and P&G through MyBlogSpark.

Day 1 #FEBPHOTOADAY

2012-02-01T11:45:00.000-06:00

1. your view today

Want to join in...

MONSTER JAM, #Giveaway Allstate Arena February 10-12, 2012

2012-02-01T09:29:00.000-06:00

MONSTER JAM

Allstate Arena February 10-12, 2012

Schedule:

Friday – 7:30

Saturday – 2:00, 7:30

Sunday – 2:00, 7:30

PARTY IN THE PITS!

Sunday 11am-1pm

Pit passes available for $10 through the Allstate Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster while supplies last. (A Sunday, Feb. 12, 2pm event tickets along with Pit Pass are required for entry.)

Show Description:

Come join us to celebrate Monster Jam’s 30th anniversary of Grave Digger! While at the show, you will be captivated by an incredibly family-friendly experience starring the biggest performers on four wheels: Monster Jam monster trucks. These twelve-feet-tall, ten-thousand-pound machines will bring you to your feet, racing and ripping up a custom-designed track full of obstacles to soar over - OR smash through. Monster Jam provides a massive night’s entertainment tailored perfectly for your family’s budget, and these colorful, larger-than-life beasts are sure to capture the hearts of both young and old.

Purchase your 2012 Monster Jam tickets HERE!
(Or enter to win them below)

Use Promo Code MOM to save 33% on ADULT tickets!

Click on flyer for more details.

Full Chicago Truck List

USHRA Monster Trucks including Grave Digger® driven by Pablo Huffaker, El Toro Loco® driven by Aaron Basl, Monster Mutt® Dalmatian driven by Candice Jolly, Advance Auto Parts Grinder℠ driven by Frank Krmel, Superman driven by Sean Duhon, Mohawk Warrior℠ driven by George Balhan, Avenger driven by Jim Koehler, and Wrecking Crew driven by Steve Koehler!
Subject to change without notice.

Can't wait to see your favorite Monster Jam truck? Check them out at the following locations:

	Come check out Grinder at Advance Auto Parts in Franklin Park, IL! Thursday, February 9th from 2:00PM - 6:00PM Advance Auto Parts is located at 2901 Mannheim Rd, Franklin Park, IL 60131 Phone: (847) 451-4087 Subject to change without notice.
	Come check out Avenger at Advance Auto Parts in Des Plaines, IL! Thursday, February 9th from 2:00PM - 6:00PM Advance Auto Parts is located at 1387 Lee St, Unit 400, Des Plaines, IL 60018 Phone: (847) 299-5358 Subject to change without notice.
	Come check out Monster Mutt Dalmatian at Advance Auto Parts in Villa Park, IL! Thursday, February 9th from 2:00PM - 6:00PM Advance Auto Parts is located at 860 N Addison Rd, Villa Park, IL 60181 Phone: (630) 458-0201 Subject to change without notice.

Last year was the first time I've ever been to Monster Jam and we had a GREAT time. It is loud but I personally didn't think it was as bad as I had anticipated. The smell however was a bigger factor for me. I wasn't feeling the best that night anyway but the fumes did give me a bit of a headache. But it was totally worth it. It was a great time. The boys LOVED it and have been asking when we're going back ever since. I wasn't sure how much I'd really get into the crashing and smashing but it really is pretty cool...even for a girl :)

I also love that it can be a reasonable night out. Last year I talked to several families who said, oh my son would FLIP out if we took him but isn't it super expensive. It totally made there day when I told them the deal that they could get. And you can too. At $10 a piece for Friday night, its almost the same price as a movie, but I can PROMISE you they'll be talking about this much longer than even the best movie!

Enter to win a four pack of tickets to Friday night's show or use the promo code to get a great deal through Ticketmaster (online, boxoffice or by phone). See details above.

Enter to win FOUR tickets to the

Friday, February 10th show at 7pm

at Allstate Arena.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who's Up For A Challenge?

2012-01-31T14:52:00.001-06:00

Anyone up to join me for a Photo A Day challenge in February? Come on it's a short month, even if it is a leap year.

Learn, Gather, Give With Abbott Champions for Kids #AbbottCFK #CBias

2012-01-30T12:38:00.002-06:00

As part of the Abbott Champions for Kids campaign, I have had the chance to learn a little more about the staggering statics of childhood hunger just in my own area. I know that sometimes the need here in our own backyards can seem almost insignificant to those in third world countries. Many times the children that are affected in your area may not even looked any different to you than your own. But the issue is real, and IS significant, especially to the child who goes to bed hungry. You may not be able to solve childhood hunger. You may not even feel like you can make a real difference at all. But you would be amazed at the difference one person can make.

Start today by learning about the need in your area. And then find out if there are already groups that are working to make a difference. We chose to donate to the Food Pantry at a local church that many of our friends attend. I was not able to give our donations directly to someone in need but the volunteers at the food pantry are hugely grateful for the support. Right now is an especially critical time as the need for families using food pantries such as this one is increasing while the donations on a whole are not.

And the volunteers were thrilled to get a donation that isn't typical. Often times food donated to food pantries is simply stuff that can be bought super cheap or comes out of cabinet because its unwanted. Is that really the message we want to send to someone in need? The last thing that someone who is down needs is to feel like we only care enough to give them our rejects. So in making your donation, yes it does have to be shelf stable but that doesn't mean it can't be nutrition. Or that it can't be something that someone will actually be able to use.

Consider the needs of yourself and your family the next time you prepare to donate. Consider calling and finding out what they could actually use.

In shopping for our donations, I scoured the pharmacy section looking for Abbott nutrition products. I found Zone bars and Ensure,but had to an employee for help finding the PediaSure. It was in the baby aisle. How logic! If only I thought that logically. But PediaSure is NOT just for babies. PediaSure is something that our Pediatrician has recommended several times as both of my older boys are slightly underweight despite what seem to me like very healthy appetites. They taste like milkshakes but are packed with weight adding calories and protein.

To view more photos from my mission for Abbot Champions for Kids, check out my Google + album here.

And find out more on how you can be a part of Abbott Champions for Kids here!

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are my own.