Macy’s Holiday Window Display Unveil Philadelphia

November 18, 2014 by Melissa

It’s time for our family to get into the Christmas Holiday spirit. We’re planning to spend our Saturday with Macy’s in Center City Philadelphia as they debut their holiday window display. We’ll head in-store for a variety of family friendly activities, events, celebrity spottings and of course a visit from Santa himself.

Since the early 1870s, Macy’s has been stunning visitors with its festive holiday window displays and exciting family friendly events. Center City Philadelphia was the first store to ever feature holiday windows created for the pure fun and joy of the season and the tradition that still lives on today.

Available at every Macy’s store is the Believe, Write a Letter to Santa campaign. Have your child their letter to Santa and help make wishes come true. Macy’s will count all the letters received and donate $1 for each to Make-A-Wish(R), up to a total of $1,000,000.

Find out other ways your local stores are celebrating the season and don’t miss the fun. Be sure to make new memories with your family and hopefully start new traditions.

St. Jude Day of Play with Carnival

November 4, 2014 by Melissa

There are times I look at my children and wonder if they were put on this planet to just frustrate me. Then there are moments when I just want to hold them close and thank the universe for giving me so much in my life. These are the times I’m grateful for a happy and healthy family. A few weeks ago I had the honor of being invited to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN and was awoken again to realize that our lives are precious while having to witness the struggles of the families seeking treatment everyday.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, educates and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. Founded in 1962, Danny Thomas changed many lives with his vision to provide care and treatment for children without burden to their families. Today thanks to treatments invented through St Jude research the survival rate for childhood cancer has risen to over 80% from its original rate of 20% fifty years ago.

St Jude focuses its research efforts on childhood cancer some acquired and inherited immunodeficiencies, sickle cell disease, infectious diseases and genetic disorders. Currently they are also investigating work in gene therapy, bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy, the biochemistry of normal and cancerous cells, radiation treatment, blood diseases, resistance to therapy, viruses, hereditary diseases, influenza, pediatric AIDS and psychological effects of catastrophic illnesses

As you can tell this isn’t just a regular pediatric hospital. The most severely ill children are brought here to take part in breakthrough technologies, clinical trials and treatment.

I, along with several other bloggers and the media and entertainment group of Carnival Cruise Lines, were invited to take a tour and learn more about how the hospital benefits it’s patients and families.

St. Jude is where doctors send their toughest cases because St. Jude has the world’s best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers.
St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs we make, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children.
St. Jude is a world leader in developing new, improved treatments for children with cancer. We create more clinical trials for cancer than any other children’s hospital.
On average, St. Jude has more than 67,000 patient visits each year.
St. Jude has helped increase the survival rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from 4% before opening in 1962 to 94% today.

The most important fact I want to press upon you is this. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.

I was also invited to be a part of the Day of Play that was put together by Carnival Cruise Lines. This was an underwater adventure themed party with a DJ, food, dancing, games and crafts as a way to give the kids some fun to look forward to. The doors opened to the patients and their families and for the next couple hours there was no talk of treatment, medication or diagnosis.

I was honored to be a part of this chunk of time of their day. If I helped one child smile then it was all worth it.

Through a variety of innovative fundraising activities such as on board Groove for St. Jude, Beary Cuddly Program and simple bingo games, Carnival Cruise Lines has raised more than $5 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital^® for the hospital’s many lifesaving pediatric cancer research and treatment programs.

St. Jude keeps moving forward due to the generosity of individuals, businesses, the community and a band of loyal volunteers.

Dyson Hot+Cool Fan Heater QVC Today’s Special Value

November 2, 2014 by Melissa

I’ve been making some not so subtle comments about the The Dyson AM05 Hot + Cool fan heater the past couple days. That’s because not only is it an amazing product that can efficiently and quickly heat or cool a room for the changing weather it also is Today’s Special Value on QVC for $299.99. #HotontheQ

That’s right! On November 2^nd beginning at midnight (EST) QVC will be showcasing the latest technology from the Dyson family for an exceptionally low price. Don’t be stuck in front of a tv screen trying to catch this deal. Visit QVC.com, the QVC apps or by calling 800.345.1515 to get your pick of Iron/Red, Iron/Copper, and Iron/Silver, Black/Silver, Iron/Blue, and White/Silver. It’s One machine for four seasons.

How it works:

Using Air Multiplier™ technology and a motor engineered for greater airflow, AM05 draws in six gallons of air per second via a mixed flow impeller. Air friction is reduced using nine asymmetrically aligned fins, with rows of tiny holes. This helps maintains constant smooth airflow.

In heater mode, two Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) ceramic plates heat the air as it’s projected into the room. The air is then accelerated through a tiny aperture set within the loop amplifier. This creates a jet of air which passes over an airfoil-shaped ramp angled at 5˚. Creating an area of low pressure behind the fan, air is drawn in through a process known as inducement. Surrounding air is drawn into the airflow in a process called entrainment.

Safety: Low surface temperatures throughout and no visible heating elements. And if tipped over, the machine has been engineered to automatically shut off.

Environmental chamber – The Dyson Hot + Cool™ fan heater was tested in Dyson’s own environmental chamber simulating temperatures from 41°F to 176°F, and 10% relative humidity to 80%.

The swift drop in temperature here in the Delaware Valley we had to close our windows and use the Dyson Hot + Cool fan heater to take the chill off in our room last night. I prefer a cool sleeping environment but just needed to make it more comfortable to climb under the covers and fall asleep.

The lightweight machine makes it simple to move room to room so that we can have a cozy cuddling session in the living room or the kids can play video games in the basement and I can warm up the kitchen can warm up if I need a little help with bread dough.

Get your Dyson AM05 Hot + Cool fan heater NOW because this deal won’t last forever.

Potato, Mushroom & Sausage Bake Recipe

October 24, 2014 by Melissa

It’s takes a drastic weather change to come up with new meal ideas. The cool weather that crept up on us the past couple of weeks brought on thoughts of layered casseroles, hearty soups, warm breads and sinful desserts. This latest meal, Potato, Mushroom and Sausage Bake hit the spot on a particular windy and rainy day.

Shopping for ingredients is always fun but going out to the store in the rain isn’t what I wanted to do. I scoured my fridge and pantry for those just right items to warm up our bellies.

Sausage of all kinds is one of our favorite meats. We grill it, saute it, crumble it on pizza and even roast it over the campfire. It made sense to create a meal surrounding it. Jimmy Dean Sausage is a staple in our house so with a roll of their Premium Pork Regular Sausage (Sage Sausage would be great too) and basic ingredients I made a meal that the family loved.

Potato, Mushroom & Sausage Bake

Ingredients

Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage Roll
3 lbs potatoes, cut into 2″ cubes
2 celery stalks, diced
1 medium onion, sliced
1 lb baby Portobello mushrooms
1 tsp dried thyme
1/4 red wine vinegar
1/4 water
1 cup finely chopped granny smith apple
salt, pepper, garlic powder as needed

Directions

In a large stock pot over medium heat cook & crumble Jimmy Dean sausage.
Remove & drain sausage and set aside. Wipe pan of excess liquid or fat. In same pan saute celery, onions, mushrooms and thyme till just tender.
Remove veggies and set aside.
In same pot, add potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic powder & water, cover pot and cook for 10 minutes over low heat.
Add red wine vinegar to deglaze pan and scrape up bits cooked onto pan. Stir in sausage, veggies and apple.
Transfer to large casserole dish and bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes at 350°.
Top should be golden brown and crisp.
Serve with steamed veggies of choice for a balanced dinner with the family.

****Don’t leave out the apple. It provides a touch of sweet and tart that goes perfectly with the saltiness of the sausage.

This served our family of 5 with some leftover. I had the best lunch the next day. This is a great make ahead meal. Do all the steps except baking. Bring to a potluck dinner, new family in the neighborhood or double the recipe to have another meal on hand for those busy holiday shopping days. In fact we keep cooked sausage in our fridge most of the time. It’s a simple way to create a healthy but quick pasta dish or bulk up an omelette for breakfast and of course as our favorite pizza topping.

Shop for Jimmy Dean Sausage at Safeway and don’t forget to grab this coupon and other valuable Hillshire Brands coupons from the Just For U center. Save money on your favorite brands such as Hillshire Farm, Ball Park and State Fair.

Here are some MORE Hillshire Brand meals to give you some inspiration for tasty, wholesome and delicious meals.

Smoked Sausage with Peppers
Fried Rice
Kielbasa with Apples and Potatoes
Sausage Sliders with Broccoli Slaw
Easy Sausage Jambalaya
Chicago Style HotDogs
Mummy Dogs
Corn and Sausage Chowder

What kind of hearty meals do you prepare for your family in the cooler seasons?

Simple Gift Giving This Year

October 22, 2014 by Melissa

With Christmas coming up in just 2 months the kids and I have been chatting about what they think they want and would be asking for. Recently on night sitting at the dinner table I asked that question and it took them way too long to answer. That means one thing, they have too much already.

We spoil our kids. They truly want for nothing with a house full of 4 gaming systems, 3 handheld gaming systems, 4 tablets, 3 laptops, a desktop, 4 smart phones, a flat screen tv & Blu-Ray player in every room and so much more. This doesn’t include the random toys and games, hundreds of DVDs and BluRays as well as the vacations, trips and events we attend on any given weekend.

We did this. We created these little monsters who can’t even think of another gift they would like. We provided not just necessities and essentials but all the fun they could imagine and even what they didn’t know was out there.

I’m flipping around our Christmas giving this year. There’s no way I’m spending my time and money on things that aren’t appreciated, needed or even wanted.

This year we’re doing things differently. The kids are going to have to choose 4 things

This makes the kids really take a look around and see everything they have and take stock of everything they are provided. I can’t control what others will shop for but in our household the holidays are going to mean more than just a pile of gifts under the tree.

I was going to add another something to the list but I’m thinking we can do that differently. Something to Give is now going to be a family charity activity. Maybe we’ll volunteer at a shelter, collect food for the hungry, paint a room at a community center or clean a playground. Doing this as a family will definitely have a bigger impact than just purchasing a pair of shoes and dropping them in a collection box.

What are your holiday gift giving traditions?

image courtesy via Pixabay

Family Camping Trip Tips and Ideas

October 20, 2014 by Melissa

There are some people that say this is the perfect weather for camping. The sunny days and crisp cool nights make for just right conditions for outdoor living. While I’m not completely onboard with sleeping outdoors I’m all for enjoying nature and the beauty of the world around us.

While I prefer the kind of camping that comes with an RV and warm shower I know my family likes to pitch a tent and live more simply for a few days. Doing this requires some planning. Camping requires some gear and tools that not only makes your life easier much enjoyable.

First off let’s talk about food. Campfire hot dogs are delicious but that isn’t all you have to live on. There are so many recipes and food ideas out there that you could actually eat much more gourmet than originally thought. These are some of the more tasty ideas I’ve seen lately that make camping a more likely idea before the snow starts to fall.

Campfire Potatoes with Thyme

Dutch Oven Braised Beef Roast

Mountain Man Skillet Scramble

let’s not forget about dessert. Sweets that are melted and gooey are the best part about campfires

Roasted Strawberries with Marshmallow Fluff

Campfire Cinnamon Rolls

S’mores Dip

Every meal doesn’t need to be very elaborate or involve many ingredients. While big breakfasts are fun fruit, cereal, milk and yogurt are plenty nutritious to get through the mornings. Keeping it simple homemade granola and dry milk reconstituted as needed also saves on space. Milkman low fat powdered milk is the only cream-containing low fat powdered milk easily available to consumers in the United States. This gives the milk a better flavor and texture than other brands on the market. Making a quart at a time as needed is easier to store and carry when space and refrigeration is a luxury.

Having the right camping gear is key to being comfortable and safe. Families often have to pack more as there are more scenarios that could arise. The opportunity for a child caught in a mud puddle would require extra clothing and maybe clothes washing/drying equipment.

HickCounty.com has this comprehensive check list of just about everything life can throw at you.

The most important part of a family camping trip is to make sure everyone is safe, happy and having fun. The point of getting away and disconnecting is spending quality time with each other. Keep the activities fun and easy. Hikes are first on the list of course. Swimming is a must when the weather is warm. Don’t forget card games, simple craft supplies and lots of glowsticks for Tic Tac Toe or a ring toss game.

image via vastateparkstaff flickr

What are your family camping trips hacks, must-dos or essential recipes?

*forest image via

Double Chocolate Candy Bar Milkshake #TruMooTreats

October 16, 2014 by Melissa

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TruMoo for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

The candy is about to roll in. Trick or Treating is such a big deal with my kids. It’s like a competition who can get the most candy. What they don’t seem to understand is they visit the same houses so the quantity is the same. Then when we get home everything goes into one bowl, a communal bowl, a family bowl of goodies to be enjoyed over the next few months.

Candy is important for kids but that’s not how we live our lives all the time. We are pretty healthy eaters. The kids have balanced meals and snacks but we don’t deny some treats and sweets. Sometimes this means cakes, cookies and candy. Sometimes this means an icy cold glass of TruMoo Chocolate Milk.

TruMoo Chocolate Milk has just the right about of sweetness and the creamy silky finish. For a long time chocolate milk has been seen as an unhealthy choice for a kid’s diet due to the added extra sugar & calories. TruMoo offers their flavored milks with NO high fructose corn syrup and less sugar then other brands.

Nutritionally 1 cup of low fat chocolate milk comes in at 140 calories and provides 25% of your needed calcium. This equals the amount of calcium on 5 cups of broccoli. No matter how hard you try you’re not going to get a kid to sit and eat 5 cups of broccoli a day. Give in and feel good about TruMoo Chocolate Milk.

I went above and beyond and made the kids one of their favorite treats. Milkshakes. Not just any milkshake. Double Chocolate Candy Bar Milkshakes. This idea comes from knowing the candy bars are going to be making their way into our way very soon. Here’s a way to use up the candy in a new and fun way. This is meant to be a dessert, a fun dessert that the kids will remember and ask for over and over.

Double Chocolate Candy Bar Milkshake-serves 2

Ingredients

3-4 scoops Chocolate ice cream of choice (we used chocolate marshmallow)
1-2 cups TruMoo Chocolate Milk
4-6 fun size Snickers bars
chocolate syrup
caramel syrup
whipped cream
mini chocolate chips

Directions

Rinse mugs/glasses with water and place in freezer while building milkshake.
In a blender combine ice cream and candy, blend for 5 seconds to chop candy.
Add 1 cup of milk to blender (more or less depending how thick you prefer your milkshake). Blend for another 5-10 seconds.
Remove glasses from freezer and drizzle inside with caramel and chocolate sauce.
Pour milkshakes into each glass and top with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips or chopped candy pieces.
Add a straw and spoon and enjoy.

This is just one way to create an indulgent treat from wholesome chocolate milk from TruMoo. visit their website for more delicious TruMoo Halloween recipes or on Facebook or Pinterest to treat your family to something new and yummy.

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S’mores Chex Mix

October 15, 2014 by Melissa

Halloween in just weeks away and the neighbors and I are planning a big community party and parade. We’re a small community but there are lots of families that would really enjoy this event. I’m in charge of snacks for the party after the parade. I know with kids there are lots of food restrictions but Chex Mix is one of those things that can lots of different tastebuds.

Our S’more’s Chex Mix isn’t geared just towards the kids though. This fall favorite flavor seemed like a no-brainer when it come to putting together a menu plan for our party. Our weekend firepits are gonna have to come to a stop sometime soon but the flavors can be enjoyed all year long just by whipping up a quick batch

S’mores Chex Mix
Ingredients

3 cups Vanilla Chex
3 Cups Rice Chex
3 cups graham cereal or teddy bear graham cookies
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 TBLS butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1-2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

In a large bowl combine cereal/cookies and half of the mini marshmallows.
In a double boiler melt chocolate with butter and cream till smooth.
Pour melted chocolate over cereal/cookie mixture and stir with a rubber spatula for 1 minute.
Add remaining marshmallows and continue to stir till cereal/cookies are coated with chocolate.
Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time and thoroughly mix/shake to coat cereal/cookie mixture. Add more or less sugar as you prefer.
Store in a tight storage container.

Keep this gluten free by omitting the graham cereal and cookies and adding more Rice or Corn Chex. Or add gluten free graham cookies that can be found at many grocery stores today.

Serve this mix in little treat bags or cupcake liners for kid size portions.

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Going Pro this Holiday Season

October 13, 2014 by Melissa

The leaves are falling. The kids are playing. The team is scoring. These are just some of the shots we’re taking with our cameras in the gorgeous fall weather. Do you have the best camera to capture all the action and smiles and cheers? Check out Best Buy for the latest gadgets for adventure seekers and memory makers.

Right now the technology is better than ever for the photographer in the family. With an ever growing list of activities, vacations, sports, playdates and family get-togethers there is so much more to capture so we can hold onto the memories for years to come.

Not only are we taking more pictures but were taking more video. My kids love to run around the park with their bikes, toys and friends. The laughter pulls at my heartstrings and it’s too much not to get it all on film. We share and upload so others can see it so we have to make sure the quality is great otherwise what’s the point.

This holiday season Best Buy will have the latest accessories and mounts to help you capture immersive footage of these moments that matter most. Best Buy is THE home of the latest cameras and camcorders, including the full line of new GoPro cameras, plus a broad assortment of accessories. GoPro cameras make perfect holiday gifts for everyone, from kids and teens, to gadget gurus. GoPro’s new line of cameras allow you to beautifully and authentically capture and share the experiences that bring purpose, adventure, and joy to your life.

GoPro HERO4 Black: the most advanced GoPro ever, featuring improved image quality and a 2x more powerful processor with 2x faster video frame rates1, HERO4 Black takes award‐winning GoPro performance to a whole new level.
GoPro HERO4 Silver: the first-ever GoPro to feature a built-in touch display. Controlling The camera, playing back footage and adjusting settings is ultra-convenient—just view, tap and swipe the screen. With 1080p60 and 720p120 video, and 12MP photos at a staggering 30 frames per second, HERO4 Silver combines powerful, pro-quality capture with the convenience of a touch display.
GoPro HERO: Featuring high‐quality 1080p30 and 720p60 video, and 5MP photos up to 5 fps, HERO captures the same immersive footage that’s made GoPro one of the best-selling cameras in the world. 12x more powerful processor with 2x faster video frame rates

Learn more at www.bestbuy.com/GoPro or visit your local Best Buy to check out the latest cameras in person.

Who might be getting a GOPro HERO this year for the holidays?

Sweet & Spicy Garlic Chili Chicken #recipe

October 9, 2014 by Melissa

It was a hot and humid day and I had no desire to man the grill to cook dinner. The house was cool because the air was cranked down to 70 degrees so the kitchen felt very good to cook a meal. I’d been craving Chinese food for days but instead of ordering I created. Our favorite General Tso’s Chicken inspired this Sweet & Spicy Garlic Chili Chicken.

I had 8 small chicken breasts from Five Star Home Foods to use and I wanted something that was different from our normal meals. I also knew I had to make lots of adjustments to the heat level for different members of the family. Rob loves lots of spice and heat. Sabreena and I can deal with some heat but Shaun and Shae have more tame palates. The sauce on the side provides the kick that Rob likes. Doing a separate sauce lets each person add just as much as they want.

Sweet & Spicy Garlic Chili Chicken

Ingredients

2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 2″ pieces
1 tsp Sesame oil
2 TBLS Soy Sauce
3 TBLS Chili Garlic sauce (Huy Fong Vietnamese Chili Garlic Sauce is my go to)
2 tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar
1 tsp ground ginger
1 cup cornstarch
1 cup chopped carrots
scallions
jalapenos
cooking oil for frying

Spicy Chili Sauce

1/3 cup chili garlic sauce
2 TBLS honey (or more)
1 tsp soy sauce

Directions

In a large bowl thoroughly mix together the chicken, sesame oil, soy sauce, chili sauce, garlic, black pepper, vinegar and ginger and set aside for at least 2 hours.

In a small bowl mix together the chili garlic sauce, honey and soy sauce. Set aside so the flavors come together. *Add more or less honey to adjust the heat level to your preference.

To cook the chicken bring 2 inches of canola or peanut oil to a medium high temperature, 350 degrees. Drain the marinated chicken and coat pieces in cornstarch, shaking off to remove excess.

Fry the chicken pieces and carrots in small batches till just cooked, turning to brown on all sides then set aside while remaining chicken cooks. I kept mine on a plate in the oven at low heat.

Serve over rice with chopped scallions and thinly sliced jalapenos and spicy chili sauce on top or as a dipping sauce on the side.

I’ve been wanting to make this again. I actually crave it, think about it.

As with any recipe adjust seasonings to your preference. Recipes (except for baking) should never be the final say on a dish. Use it as a guide to create something you and your family will love and want to make again and again.

For the best recipes start with quality ingredients. Using Five Star Home Foods for the past 3 months has inspired many new recipes.

What kind of hearty meals do you prepare for your family in the cooler seasons?

What are your holiday gift giving traditions?

Who might be getting a GOPro HERO this year for the holidays?

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