We Have Sparkling Clean Plates {in more ways than one!}

PlatesBeforeandAfterCollage

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating. Remember how I shared my loathing of washing dishes?  Then I told you that my dishwashing woes were fading?  Well, they truly are. Can I confess something?  There have been plenty of times when we have people over - whether it be friends for a party or my parents for a grilled dinner, where I'll put out plates and there be spots on them.  Either cloudy spots or even sometimes stuck-on food that we didn't see when we unloaded the dishwasher.  Talk about embarassing! I usually either just say something about it {if they catch me} or quickly put it in the sink and pretend that's where it was the … [Read more...]

Mango Blueberry Smoothies

mangoblueberry

Oh, smoothies - where have you been all of my life?  I see so many smoothie pictures posted on instagram that I've been pining over, but honestly, I just thought they were too hard to make.  I have an average blender, with average smoothie knowledge and I just wasn't convinced I could pull them off. I was wrong - yahoo! I finally decided to try my hand at smoothies when we received a pack of Squooshi reusable pouches the other day {free for review}.  I am constantly making the girls pureed fruits and applesauce snacks to fill the pouches, but this time I wanted to try something different.    We had blueberries and we had mangoes - perfect timing!  I also had plain yogurt, milk, and ice, which is all the ingredients that you need for these yummy … [Read more...]

Thinking on My Toes: Creative Lunch Ideas and My Buffalo Chicken Fries Wrap

Creative Lunch Ideas

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community.  I was inspired to write this post on Creative Lunch Ideas as a part of this shop that has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and Tyson #cbias #SocialFabric Moms are always thinking on our toes, right?  We deal with two year old tantrums in the grocery store, diaper explosions {cloth or not}, and the lunch time rush.  I really don't know which of those three is more stressful.  It's like I just get done cleaning up breakfast and I look at the clock and it's already time to start thinking about what's for lunch!?  So, this Mom {thumbs point at myself} decided to get creative with lunch the other day.  Ok, actually I was just thinking on my toes, like any Mom does, … [Read more...]

Grilled Corn on the Cob {in Husk}

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Sunshine Sweet Corn. I received a gift card to purchase a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating. I'm getting ready to share with you, a recipe that is quite possibly the easiest recipe you've ever read.  So easy, in fact, that you'll probably never cook your fresh, sweet corn in any other way.  So delicious that it doesn't matter how easy it is! How do you prepare Fresh Corn? Do you boil it?  Oh, no no no.  If you do, please don't anymore!  All of that sweet deliciousness is being left right in your boiling water! Do you microwave it?  Oh, Paula and Martha should be pounding on your door!  I don't care how many … [Read more...]

Snack Ideas – Toddler Sushi

Toddler Sushi

I'm constantly challenged when it comes to snack time ideas for my girls.  It's so easy to just grab a pre-packaged snack, but the girls love when I get creative with their meals!  I ran across this idea when I first started browsing Pinterest.  While we were enjoying a delicious Sushi lunch this weekend, Sophia wanted so bad to try the sushi, but just hasn't gotten up the nerve yet.  She's VERY particular about her choice of foods.  So, I told Rob about my idea for making her some Toddler Sushi and he said "I want some too!". Toddler Sushi It only takes three super simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.  Rice Krispies Cereal {or any crushed cereal would work} Banana Peanut Butter Spread … [Read more...]

Cooking with Coconut Oil – Semi Homeade Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken with Coconut Oil

Semi Homemade is my favorite way to do anything.  Honestly, I guess this recipe is more homemade than not - since I totally do the dish the way I want, but instead of trying to perfect my own perfect orange sauce... I take a short cut.  A SECRET short cut that you're going to love {if you can find it in a grocer near you}!  Actually, there are 2 secrets to this recipe and I'm sharing them with you! I've been using my Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil for oil pulling, but I decided to try one of it's other most popular uses - cooking with coconut oil! I haven't tried any baking with it yet, although I hear it's incredible to bake with.  I've simply been susbstituing my normal uses of olive oil with the coconut oil and have been very pleased with the … [Read more...]

Easy Snack Solution – Kids Trail Mix

Kids Trail Mix

We've been going on quite a few walks lately and it never fails that the daughter that can vocalize her wants... always wants a snack while we're walking. And the one that doesn't quite vocalize herself, well at least with words yet, still lets me know that she would like something to! We have quite a few cannister of Earth's Best Organic snacks in our pantry that the girls love, but tire of by themselves sometimes.  So, I've been putting together a quick and easy snack solution for them to chomp on while we're on the road sidewalk.  You can get really creative in your ingredients! Raisins Marshmallows Earth's Best Happy Snax Dried Blueberries Dark Chocolate Chips Earth's Best … [Read more...]

Gourmet Smokey Steakhouse Grilled Pesto Chicken Sandwich

Chicken Sandwich

Ahhhh... it's Spring here in east Tennessee!  The weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining, people are mowing their yards... it's finally here!  There are so many things I love about this season and we enjoyed a few of them this weekend, including grilling! I'm not sure why, but there's just something fun about cooking your food outdoors!  We don't reserve the grill only for entertaining, though.  We probably cook our dinner, by grilling, at least 2-3 times per week.  Whether it's steak, chicken, burgers, or even veggies - we love to make it smell yummy in the neighborhood! One part of grilling that I struggle with, though, is the fact that sometimes my foods lose flavor.  For a good marinade, I know the meats should soak for a few hours and that's a problem … [Read more...]

Quick, Easy, Sweet Snack for Moms {without the Guilt!}

DOLE Snacks for Mom

When I found out that I was chosen to host a party for the DOLE Fruit Crisps snacks, I couldn't wait!  When the packaged arrived at the door with all the yummy flavors, I was even more excited.  When Sophia found the beautifully packaged box of red, crinkled paper protecting those yummy snacks, well, I wasn't so excited. But then when I read that one bowl only contained 160 calories - I got excited again!  These are the perfect snack for Moms and just a few calories, so no guilt! I struggle with snacking, but especially at two times during the day.  The afternoon nap time, slump and after dinner.  While the girls are napping, it's quiet and I always want to reach for a little sweet something to keep me awake.  After Dinner, I love to have a sweet treat to finish the day, … [Read more...]

Why, Hello Fresh Produce at My Door!

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What if there was a way to get fresh produce, meat, and every other ingredient that goes into a gourmet meal delivered right to your door... fresh.  Too good to be true, right? Think Again! Hello Fresh does just that.  This brown box arrived on my doorstep and I could smell the faintness of deliciousness.  When I opened the box, I was so excited to see fresh produce that looked like it had just been picked out of boxes at the Farmers Market. I am all about fresh and easy.  Trying to entertain the girls while I'm preparing dinner is hard enough, but trying to entertain them while I'm making a grocery list and shopping - ha!  Hello Fresh gave me the opportunity to take it easy this week - no grocery list or shopping for 3 dinners.  The best part?  We didn't … [Read more...]

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

I have been quite obsessed with mushrooms lately and this is one of my favorite ways to prepare them!  I've simplified the original recipe that hubby found into one that I can prepare in just a few minutes and it's just as delicious as the complicated one that we used to prepare! They make a fabulous side dish, or even appetizer, to a steak or chicken main course meal.  You could even do large portabella mushrooms as an entree themselves! Crab Stuffed Mushrooms Mushroom Caps {any size will do!} Crab Dip 1 tbsp Butter 2-3 Garlic Cloves {chopped} Mozarella Cheese {shredded or sliced} Olive Oil {optional} Some things you'll notice in any of the recipes that I share here on SEBG - they're easy and … [Read more...]

Quick and Easy Bundt Banana Bread

Banana Bread

When it comes to cooking for my family, I really enjoy the activity, but not so much the prep and clean up.  I also like a recipe that it's simple and uses ingredients that I already have in my cabinets and that can use produce before it goes bad. This Banana Bread recipe does just that and I thought I would share it with you all!  I'm hoping to start sharing some of my favorite recipes that we make again and again in our house so you can enjoy them too.  Best of all, most are quick and easy... and delicious! Quick & Easy Bundt Banana Bread A short list of ingredients: Box of Yellow Cake Mix 3-4 Ripe Bananas Handful of Chopped Pecans {optional} 2 Eggs 1/3 cup of Vegetable Oil {or substitute} My Banana Bread always turned out kind of dry until I learned the secret of using the … [Read more...]