Diethood

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Popcorn Bars + Netflix

Katerina Petrovska — Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:03 +0000

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX. All opinions are 100% my own.

Hello my besties!

While I gather my peanut butter, marshmallows, and popcorn, we are going to talk a bit about my time management. M’KAY? Glad you agree!

When speaking about my blog, can you guess what question I am asked the most? Come on, take a guess…

Did you say, “how do you find time to blog with two kids, husband, house, etc…?!?!” CORRECT! That question comes up 100% of the time.

I have an answer and it’s always the same one, ”nap time and Netflix!”. Thank goodness for those two things or I would be one very tired (read: crazy) Mama.

I specifically need to thank Pingu for keeping Ana, my 3-year old, entertained all of the time! If I let her, she would watch Pingu all day. And Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. OH! I can’t forget about Powerpuff Girls! She loves them. Actually, she thinks that she’s one of them.

Then there’s my almost one-year old, Aleksandra. She’s SO sweet. All she wants to watch is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally or My Little Pony. In fact we watch them together while Ana watches her Netflix shows on my laptop or the Touch Pad. One of the better features is that you can watch your favorite TV shows and movies anywhere, at any time. Netflix is available on hundreds of devices, and, if you’re like me, you probably have all of them!

On the weekends, Saturday nights to be exact, I make some popcorn, or these incredibly delicious and fun Peanut Butter Marshmallow Popcorn Bars, and the four of us, all together, try to enjoy a couple of the kid’s favorite shows on Netflix before they go to bed. 101 Dalmatians was last weekend’s pick. This weekend we are going to watch Thomas & Friends: Go Go Thomas. He is another favorite around here. Aleksandra calls him, CHOOCHOO!!

The dedicated kids section on Netflix has family favorites appropriate for children ages 2- 12. All content is selected with help from Common Sense Media to provide ratings, reviews and information so parents can easily make choices for their kids.

What are you watching on TV with your family? Netflix has family favorites from Disney, Disney Jr., Hasbro, Cartoon Network and Dreamworks that are available to stream anytime, anywhere. And streaming is easier than you think! Download the free app on your iPad, click on the Netflix app on any gaming device, go to the website on your computer – and you’re in business. Check it out here!

And, in the meantime, make these popcorn bars – they are amazing!

ENJOY!

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Popcorn Bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: Serves 6 to 8

Chewy peanut butter and marshmallow popcorn bars studded with salty, crunchy peanuts.

Ingredients

8 cups popped popcorn (about 6 tablespoons unpopped)
1 cup salted roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
4 tablespoons butter
4 cups miniature marshmallows
3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter

Instructions

Line a 9x13 pan with foil, leaving an overhang on the sides, and lightly grease with cooking spray; set aside.
Pop the popcorn and mix in the peanuts; set aside.
Melt butter over medium-high heat.
Add peanut butter and marshmallows; stir until melted and smooth.
Pour over popcorn and mix until thoroughly combined.
Transfer popcorn mixture to the prepared pan.
Using a greased spatula, or wet hands, press mixture into the pan.
Let cool completely.
Lift out the popcorn and cut into bars.
Serve immediately.

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of NETFLIX.

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Banana Split Cream Puffs

Katerina Petrovska — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:45:46 +0000

I’m just gonna come right out and say it – I loooove ice cream! You didn’t know? You mean those 1226.8 ice cream recipes on this blog didn’t give it away?!

These Banana Split Cream Puffs were inspired by a day at the ice cream shoppe. I was pretending to be there because of my kids. We walked in and, in total Ross voice, I was all like, “Oh, Hi… phew… I’m so annoyed… the kids are driving me crazy… let us have some banana split(s). Yeah…they will eat all three splits… for sure! Yep, even the baby.”

I won’t tell you what happened to the remaining 2 split(s) when we got in the car.

On the drive back home, after my face-to-face meeting with the ice cream, I remembered that my wonderful friends over at OXO had just sent me a box of amazing goodies, including a pineapple slicer, and the idea just clicked! I saw the light bulb right above my right shoulder. Sah-weet!

Funny thing is, during the making of these puffs, things got a bit chaotic in the kitchen. The little babe decided to get into my ingredients. Egg shells and flour all over the floor, sugar in her mouth, and a whisk in her hand. A day like any other. Or so that seems to be the pattern. Thank goodness for baking – it’s my yoga. It always seems to ease the chaos just a tad bit.

So, here’s the dealio.

I hope you have some parchment paper lying around. And 10 eggs. You will also need to make your own puddin’. Or not. Don’t sweat it. You can always go with the instant stuff. I’ll still add the recipe, just in case you decide to get all Martha-Stewarty. Also, don’t be scurred to make cream puffs, or eclairs. (You know that’s like the same thing, right? One is shaped into a log the other is round) They are incredibly easy to make! Honestly. The French pastry chefs wanna make it all sound so hard, but buhlieve me, it ain’t!

Find a minute or 1.25 hours and make these! Impress them all on Memorial Day with your version of Banana Split. It will be our little secret!

ENJOY!

Banana Split Cream Puffs

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Yield: Makes 24 Cream Puffs

Classic cream puffs filled with pineapple chunks, vanilla pudding, and bananas.

Ingredients

For the Cream Puffs

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 stick butter, cut into pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 whole eggs

For the Filling

(You can also use Vanilla Instant Pudding)
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature, cut into pieces
1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored sliced (depending on the size of the pineapple, you will most likely use 1/2 of it)
4 bananas, sliced into rounds

For the Topping

chocolate syrup
whipped topping
maraschino cherries

Instructions

For the Cream Puffs

Preheat oven to 425.
Line two baking pans with parchment paper and set aside.
Combine milk, water, butter, salt and sugar in a medium-sized saucepan.
Cook over high heat, and bring to a rapid boil.
Add flower and lower to medium-low.
Start stirring fast with a wooden spoon, and continue to stir until the dough comes together and you have a shiny and smooth ball of dough.
Transfer dough to a mixing bowl and let rest for a few minutes.
Add the eggs one by one, making sure each egg is incorporated before adding the next, and beat until the dough is thick and shiny. Don't add the eggs all at once.
Drop a tablespoon of dough onto parchment paper, leaving about 2-inches in between each dough ball.
Place both baking sheets in oven and immediately lower oven temperature to 375.
Bake for 12 minutes; rotate the pans by placing the bottom pan on the top, and the top pan to the bottom; bake for an additional 12 minutes.
Let cool.
While cooling, make the filling.

For the Filling

(Skip this part if using Instant Pudding)
In a saucepan combine yolks, sugar, and cornstarch; whisk until well incorporated.
Heat milk to a boil.
Slowly pour 1/4 cup of milk into egg mixture and whisk until blended.
Slowly pour the rest of the milk while whisking.
Put the pan over medium-high heat and continue to whisk.
Bring to a boil and whisk for another minute or two, or until the mixture comes together.
Remove from heat and whisk in the vanilla.
Let stand 5 minutes.
Whisk in the butter, and continue to whisk until blended and mixture is smooth.
Completely cool the filling by placing the pan in a large bowl filled with cold water and ice. This will take about 15 to 20 minutes.

Assembling

Using a serrated knife, cut the cream puffs in half.
Place a few chunks of pineapple on the bottom of the puffs.
Fill with prepared filling and place banana slices on top of filling.
Close with cream puffs caps.
Top with chocolate syrup, whipped topping, and a maraschino cherry.
Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

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Keurig Brewer Review and a K-Cup Giveaway

Katerina Petrovska — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:16 +0000

You guys! I am obsessed! Ob.sesssssssed!

You know how I talk about loving my coffee and making my own copycats and all? Like the Pumpkin Spice Latte or the Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Latte!

Well. I’m about to burst, but I am really excited about this new coffee toy of mine. SO, SO excited! Squeal! I am now the very proud owner of a Keurig Brewer. And I mean proooooud!

This new love of mine and I have been hanging out together every day for the past month or so, and we couldn’t be happier!

I was first introduced to Keurig at my dentist’s office. I know… out of all places! And what’s a girl to do in a dentist’s waiting room? Pretend like she’s reading emails or drink coffee?! I decided on coffee. My curiosity got the best of me. But, I am glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed every sip of that coffee. It was fresh, tasteful, and clean. None of that burnt taste, if you know what I mean. It was then that I knew I had to have this gadget in my kitchen.

Thanks to the Keurig folks, I now have my own Keurig Platinum Plus Brewer, and getting up in the morning has been that much better since it arrived. Every morning this beautiful, blue LCD screen welcomes me to my kitchen, letting me know that my coffee is brewed and ready to go.

Lemme tell you a bit about this beauty.

This Keurig model offers a wide range of cup size options for brewing. To add, it offers other great features, including Auto On/Off, Digital Clock, Adjustable Temperature Control and, as I already mentioned, a Cup Size option. Moreover, the water reservoir holds up to ten cups of water, and it keeps the water hot for the next cup!

Most importantly, it is simple to use and beautiful to look at. What I found to be even better is that there is a custom reusable coffee filter so that you can brew any coffee you like! It doesn’t have to be a K-Cup. Sweet deal, right?!

Overall, the Keurig brewers are excellent quality and I would recommend them to anyone interested in purchasing a single cup brewer. In my opinion, the pricing of the Keurig brewers are extremely reasonable, considering the fact that it brews gourmet coffee in just a fraction of the cost of purchasing it from Starbucks. In the long run, you will end up saving a ton of money. Check out their beautiful selections at the Keurig website.

And now for the GIVEAWAY!

One winner will win:

Green Mountain Coffee Variety Flavored Coffee Box

This K-Cup® variety box includes a selection of Green Mountain flavored coffees:

6 Caramel Vanilla Creams
6 French Vanillas
6 Hazelnuts
4 Wild Mountain Blueberries

****Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only. Must be 18 years of age, or older****

****This giveaway will close on May 26, 2013 at 11:59 pm CST. Winner will be randomly selected on May 27, 2013****

Mandatory Entry:

Leave a Comment, any comment! You can just say HELLO!

Bonus Entries! Please leave a separate comment for each entry!

Follow Diethood on Twitter
Follow Keurig on Twitter
Follow Diethood on Facebook
Follow Diethood on Pinterest
Pin any one of my recipes from the Diethood Blog Pinterest Board onto one of your Personal or Shared Boards

GOOD LUCK!!!

*Disclosure: I was sent a Keurig Home Brewing System to review and keep. All opinions are 100% my own.

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Jimmy Dean Delights

Katerina Petrovska — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:24 +0000

This post brought to you by Jimmy Dean Delights. All opinions are 100% mine.

You know how lately I have been talking about getting this bod into a bikini?!

Well. I’m still on that track. Not givin’ up. No siree!

Summer is fast approaching and I want to go to the beach! …And look good while I’m there.

As we all know, breakfast is an important meal, especially when you’re trying to whip your body in shape. A good breakfast can help you lose weight and increase energy. Fruits, whole grains, and a carafe of coffee have always been my go-to breakfast buddies.

However, ever since Jimmy Dean introduced their Delights products, very often I turn to their Delights to help me out in the morning. I pop that muffin in the microwave, and breakfast is ready to eat in about five minutes.

Did you know that Jimmy Dean Delights are all under 300 calories! Their Honey Wheat English Muffin Sandwich, which happens to be my absolute favorite, has Canadian bacon (YUM!), egg whites and cheese, and all for only 210 cals! Seriously! And it is SO good!

Jimmy Dean DelightsIf you would like to sample it before you buy it, select Sam’s Club locations will be holding demos on June 15th and July 1st. Get over there and try them for yourself! You can then buy a few boxes and let the rest of the fam enjoy these delicious treats by Jimmy Dean.

ENJOY!

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Grilled Eggplant Rollups with Bacon and Goat Cheese

Katerina Petrovska — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:16 +0000

Yeeeeeeeeeees! I’ve been waiting forever to tell you about this deliciousness. I finally get to share one of my bestest grilled veggy appetizers with you!

Grilled Eggplant Rollups with Bacon and Goat Cheese! Booyah!!

BEST veggie food, ever!

Then again, how can it not be the best when there’s bacon in it! And goat cheese!

I know, I’m totally freaking out about this one, but for real, this stuff is amazing. I first made it some 3 or 4 years ago and since then, as soon as the weather reaches 70 degrees, I’m out there rollin’ up the eggplants and grillin’! You should never underestimate the power of a veggie… With bacon.

You wanna know what else is exciting?! My baby girl started to walk today, hands free! For the past 3 months she’s been holding onto furniture, walls, appliances… but today she finally let go! She’s so excited, and quite frankly, so am I!

And that’s my proud Mama moment. Had to share it with you!

Wait! I’m not done sharing! By the ways, her 1st Birthday is coming up on June 4th!

Okay, now I’m done.

So, this appetizer. This delicious appetizer. It is SO easy, I can probably do it with my eyes open. errr closed! But, it needs some prep lovin’. Yeah. You’ll have to wait around just a tad bit while the eggplants soak up the salt. About 32 minutes, tops.

ENJOY!

Grilled Eggplant Rollups with Bacon and Goat Cheese

Prep Time: 40 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

Grilled eggplant rollups stuffed with bacon and goat cheese.

Ingredients

2 small eggplants, washed, ends trimmed, sliced lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick planks
olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
10 to 12 slices bacon, partially cooked
1/4 cup to 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

Line a baking sheet with foil.
Layer the eggplant slices on prepared sheet and brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper; set aside for 30 minutes.
Heat grill to medium high.
Place eggplant slices on grill and cook until slightly tender, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Cook bacon in microwave for about 1 to 1-1/2 minutes, or cook in a frying pan until partially cooked but not crisp.
In a small bowl, combine goat cheese and minced garlic.
Remove eggplant from grill, top each with a slice of bacon and a teaspoon or two of cheese mixture.
Roll up the eggplant and secure with toothpick.
Return to grill, place seam side down, and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until thoroughly warm and cooked.
Serve.

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Need more Eggplant Recipes? Check these out!

Sausage Stuffed Eggplant

Baked Eggplant Sandwiches from The Shiksa

Sauteed Eggplant Salad (Vegan) from Curry and Comfort

Romanian Eggplant Salad from Our Family Food Adventures

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