Check out the Smiling it Forward site!

Ever since we've started school, we've had a few bouts of sniffles and coughs.  It's so hard for me to see my little ladies when they aren't feeling well...as a parent, you just want to do anything you can to make them feel better!

While they are sick I make sure I have their favorite soups (Mrs. Grass' noodle and homemade ABC) and we watch our favorite movies on Netflix.  Not going to lie, sometimes I like sick days too...it's somewhat relaxing!

The morning when they finally wake up feeling better with a BIG smile on their face is the best feeling in the world!  Then you realize it's back to the chaos!

Tylenol has a great new project going on: Smiling it Forward.  It's so simple to help other kids out.  For each photo shared, Tylenol will donate $1 to Children's Health Fund!

I chose to share their Halloween picture because they were SO excited to dress up this year and this collage makes me smile!

Head on over to the Smiling it Forward site and share YOUR smile pic!!

While you're on the site, make sure to check out Dr. Tanya's tips.  I love the "When to Call the Pediatrician" tips! 

Disclaimer: I have received information and products from McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., the makers of TYLENOL®. The opinions stated are my own. This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks. 

Recent Budget Mom posts + A giveaway!!

In October, I started my weekly Budget Mom post on the site Work It Mom.  I've been sharing recipes for a bake sale, tips on how to handle Black Friday and other random thoughts that go through my head.  If you happen to check out any of my posts, leave me a shout out!  (Please & thank you!)

Last week, I shared another #Smoovember recipe for a Pumpkin Spice Protein Smoothie and there is a giveaway on there for another Hamilton Beach blender, this time it's the single serve to-go version.  Perfect for a busy morning!

Also, I have TWO other giveaways ending soon to check out!  I want to spread some holiday cheer!

• $20 Bonefish Grill gift card
• Hamilton Beach Smoothie Start blender

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  We painted our basement (okay, Ricky & friends did while I was at work) and I'm exhausted!  Cannot wait for some turkey! 

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Bonefish Grill: Tales of Lobster Tuesday! {Giveaway!}

Our date nights are few and far between.  Even while we are on our dates, we tend to talk about the girls.  Parents, you know how it goes!

When we had the opportunity to check out Bonefish Grill's new Tuesday lobster menu, of course I jumped at the chance!  Back in the day, before the kids, we used to go to Bonefish when we were at my parent's condo in Hilton Head Island, SC. I love their bang bang shrimp and tasty seafood menu!

We happened to get there during Happy Hour (my favorite!) so we started off with $3 glasses of wine.  Can't beat that!  For our starter, I had to get my bang bang shrimp fix.  If you've never been there, it's a shrimp appetizer with this amazing spicy sauce. 

Once I started looking at the menu, I knew I wanted steak and lobster.  Why not, right?!  I ended up choosing the Steak topped with lobster thermidor.  Basically a 6 ounce steak topped with this amazing cream sauce with crab, sherry and lobster.  Worth EVERY calorie.  Instead of potatoes, I chose steamed veggies and spaghetti squash.  It was amazing, guys!

Ricky has been wanting to try a lobster roll for a while now, so he picked the lobster roll sliders.  The buttery buns were topped with the lobster filled chilled salad.  The picture doesn't do the sliders justice, they were SO tasty.

We ended with a dessert, which we NEVER do.  When we got the bill, it was UNDER $50.  Not bad for 2 glasses of wine, an app, 2 entrees and a dessert!  Better yet, a SEAFOOD meal!  We were so happy with our experience. 

Would you like to check out Bonefish's new menu?  Enter to win a $20 gift card towards a date night!  (Please make sure you have one in your area, by checking the locator).


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Healthified Green Bean Casserole with Stonyfield Yogurt!

Nothing makes me more excited than finding a healthy alternative for foods I'm cooking.  Even better when you can't tell the difference!  Yogurt has been my favorite substitute for a couple of years now.  Check out my awesome yogurt banana bread! 

With all of the cooking and baking coming up for the holidays, buying a big tub or two of yogurt will help you healthify so many things!  Making a spinach dip that uses mayo?  Use yogurt instead! On the Stonyfield website, they have a super handy guide for you!  For the most part, the substitution is a 1:1 ratio, and you can choose regular or Greek yogurt, plain and lowfat.

If you are hesitant to make the switch, try a 50/50 substitution to start with.  For sour cream, I prefer Greek yogurt, since it has that thick texture.

This green bean casserole takes maybe 5 minutes longer because you have to wash and chop the mushrooms, but the health benefits are worth it!  Adding yogurt instead of the can of soup makes the protein of the dish go way up and the sodium drops drastically!  Also, there is less fat.  I could continue to make the dish healthier by omitting the French fried onions, but it's really not green bean casserole without them!

 Here's what you'll need:

• 1 large bag of frozen green beans- Cut or French style
• 1 cup Stonyfield plain 0% Greek yogurt
• 8-12 oz package of fresh mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 cup skim milk
• Dash of soy sauce
• 1 container of fried onions 
• Salt & Pepper, to taste.  

1.  Clean and slice the mushrooms.  If you prefer to dice them, that works too!
2. Heat a pan over medium heat.  Add the mushrooms and a touch of EVOO.  Saute until cooked and softened.  Pepper and salt them as desired (I tend to go heavier on pepper).  Add a dash of soy sauce. 
3. Clear a hole in the middle of the pan for the butter to melt.  After melted, sprinkle with the flour.  Cook for 1 minute (the flour can mix in with the mushrooms).
4. Slowly add milk.  Mixture will be very thick.  Now slowly add yogurt.  If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk.  
5. Add green beans in the pan, frozen.  Cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Place mixture into a casserole dish.  Top with fried onions!  

Here are some other ways you can healthify your holiday dishes:

• Cut back on the butter and add yogurt in your mashed potatoes.
• Make these tasty yogurt biscuits for breakfast or Thanksgiving meal! 
• For baking, check out the Stonyfield site for TONS of tasty ideas! Even snag a few coupons while you're there!

What healthy tips do you have for holiday cooking and baking? I'm all ears!

Spiked Frozen Hot Chocolate {Plus a #Smoovember Giveaway!}

Most of you may know that it's Movember (Ricky is trying to grow a mustache...) which brings awareness to men's health issues.  Did you also know it's SMOOVEMBER?  Smoothie time!  While this drink isn't quite a smoothie...it's close enough for my book!

Originally, I was planning on saving this recipe for December...but we are SO obsessed with this drink I had to share NOW.  This would be a perfect treat while sitting around the table with family after Thanksgiving.

Best part about this drink: it's SKINNY!  Sugar Free hot cocoa mix and almond milk (which has only 30 calories per CUP) makes you feel a bit better about indulging in a few of these.  You can totally serve this warm, also (hello, slow cooker!).

I'm giving away two Hamilton Beach blenders to celebrate SMOOVEMBER...this time it's the large Smoothie Start blender. (Check back later for the hand smoothie maker!). I have a Ninja, but I have to admit this blender is AWESOME.  Favorite feature? The Smoothie button.  Just hit it and it pulses and blends your mixture into a perfect smoothie in a minute.  Holla!  The blender is also great for making a pitcher (or two) of this frozen hot chocolate.

Here's what you need: (Serves 2 large mugs, or 4 small)

• Sugar free cocoa mix (1/4 cup or 2 packets)
• Irish Cream (The Aldi knockoff, shown, is tasty!)
• Whipped cream vodka (or vanilla!)
• Unsweetened vanilla almond milk- 1 cup
• Chocolate to grate on top, or whipped cream

Throw it all in the blender with some ice and you've got yourself a treat!  So simple!

To enter the giveaway, enter with the Rafflecopter below!  Good luck!

NOTE: I will be monitoring all entries, and invalid ones will be removed.  If you have any questions about the Rafflecopter, please ask!




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Quick & Easy Pumpkin Spice Frozen Coffee!

A couple of months ago, I stumbled into the kitchen early one morning, desperately needing my cup of coffee...only to find my relatively new coffee maker was broken.  A little piece of plastic was going to cost $75.  No way!  I tried to return it, but it was past the 3 month return period.  Frustrated, I decided to give up brewed coffee for a bit.

I never thought I would like instant coffee, but I'm here to tell you all that it has come a LONG way from when my Great Grandma used to make it!  It's so quick and easy in the morning, since I already have the teapot going for oatmeal anyway.

Another issue we have is a tiny fridge.  I love flavored creamers, but we barely have enough room for our milk situation (2%, skim and almond milk...oy!), let alone creamers.  Powdered creamer is much easier for us!  Plus, you can use it in recipes and it's healthier.

 

In the morning, I make my instant coffee in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup.  From there I either make a tasty homemade PSL (pumpkin spice latte for all of you non-Starbucks junkies) or this frozen coffee.  Seriously, it's whipped up in less than 1 minute.  Perfect for our crazy school mornings.  If I have any coffee left, I pop it in the fridge for later.

TIP: When using powdered creamer, dissolve it in the hot coffee before putting it in the blender...it's hard to dissolve the creamer in cold liquids

In a blender (check out my sweet green Hamilton Beach smoothie blender), combine coffee/creamer mixture, 1 teaspoon white chocolate chips, 1/2 cup milk and ice.  Blend and top with whipped cream and caramel.  So quick and easy...and cheaper than a coffee shop!

During the holiday season, convenience is key.  Plus, think about all of those family moments when you can use a quick pick me up.  Make some instant coffee to save time.  I also like how portable instant coffee and powdered creamers are.  If you are heading to a tailgate, all you need is some hot water to warm up!

One surprising treat we came about during our big Sunday breakfast this weekend was a Pumpkin Pie Parfait.   I added the creamer to vanilla yogurt and it was amazing! The girls had graham cracker crumbs in their yogurt, I added granola and bananas.

Aside from the Pumpkin Spice, the other seasonal flavor is Peppermint Mocha...which I love, but I'm waiting until after Thanksgiving!  Don't you feel like Turkey Day is already getting trampled on by Christmas?!

What's your favorite creamer flavor? Have you tried instant coffee lately?

Want more coffee ideas?  Check out the holiday digital magazine with Coffeemate ideas!

Curly's BBQ Cajun Bowl {Giveaway!}

Disclaimer: I was provided coupons to try the product, but was not paid.  All opinions are my own! I like to share tasty new food with everyone!

Check out all of the available products!

Have you tried Curly's BBQ yet? Now that (most of us) have put away our grills, outdoor BBQ season is over!  When I stopped at Meijer to pick up some Curly's sausage and pulled chicken, I really just expected the same old BBQ products.  I was kind of scared because the fat in the sausage is a LOT higher than we normally eat.  

The first time I sampled the pulled chicken, I was SO surprised.  It reminded me of smoky BBQ you can get in the south.  It's so hard to replicate that flavor and I am so happy to have found this!  The pulled chicken cooks up super fast and you can make a quick sandwich for lunch or dinner! 

I also made a Cuban sandwich with the pulled chicken, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles.  It was mighty tasty!

With the sausage, instead of just grilling it up, I thought I would make a Cajun bowl with it. Actually this is a combination between a stew and sauce, since it's on the thicker side.  Perfect for these chilly nights we have now!  I love to add a kick of heat to it with some hot sauce.

Do you want to try Curly's for yourself? Enter to win TWO free product coupons! Head on over to my Facebook page and leave a comment under the Curly's photo.  I'll draw a winner on Friday (11/15) at 12:00pm!