Mashtini- Fun Food from @BobEvansFarms GIVEAWAY

August 9, 2012 by 34 Comments

August 19th is National Potato Day, and our friends at Bob Evans have some fun recipes for you to try out. So cute- Martini’s with mashed potatoes instead of alcohol. We even did a “kiddie” version, my son loved it. Instead of the harsh alcohol with syrup-y sweet flavors why not try some awesome Bob Evans mashed potato recipes like, Sweet Swirl Mashtini, Mediterranean mashed, and the incredible Bob Evans Wildfire Mashtini (which is the one we did).

With the right ingredients and some Bob Evans mashed potatoes, anything is possible. Carbonara mashed potatoes, or a Club Mashtini both with crispy bacon- and what’s not better with bacon, I ask you?

Here are a few of the fun recipes:

Club Mashtini
Prep time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4 mashtinis

INGREDIENTS:
1 package (24 oz.) Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes
1/4 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
1/4cup ham, diced
1/4cup Bob Evans oven-roasted diced turkey (from Bob Evans Restaurant) or 1/4 cup of any diced, cooked turkey
1/4 cup cooked bacon pieces, crumbled
1/4 cup ranch dressing
4 mini gherkin pickles (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
1.Prepare Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes by following the recommended microwave instructions on the package.
2.Place about 1/3 cup (1/8 package) of mashed potatoes in a martini glass.
3.Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. diced ham on top of potatoes.
4.Place another 1/3 cup (1/8 package) of mashed potatoes on top of diced ham.
5.Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. of each on top of mashed potatoes: Swiss cheese, turkey and crumbled bacon pieces.
6.Lightly drizzle ranch dressing over toppings.
7.Garnish with toothpick and sweet gherkin.

MEDITERRANEAN MASHTINI
Prep time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Serves: 4 mashtinis

INGREDIENTS:
1 package (24 oz.) Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes
1/4 cup pepperonata
1/4 cup marinated artichokes, chopped
4 oz. grilled marinated chicken, sliced
1/4 cup prepared pesto sauce
Parmesan crisps

DIRECTIONS:
1.Prepare Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes by following the recommended microwave instructions on the package.
2.Place 3/4 cup (1/4 package) of mashed potatoes in a martini glass.
3.Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. each [Read more…]

Filed Under: cooking, food, giveaway, recipes, review Tagged With: , ,

How to Save Money on International Travel With Kids

August 9, 2012 by 5 Comments

If you’re planning to take an international trip, automatically, there is a lot of planning
that is involved. However, if you are going to take your kids along with you, that definitely
requires a lot more forethought; especially as it relates to making the necessary financial
preparations. While you’re making out your lists, you might be tempted for feel a bit
overwhelmed. After all, vacations can be expensive enough when it’s just a couple’s trip.

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But there’s no reason to fret. Below are five tips that will show you how you can
save money on international travel when you’re bringing the kids along for the ride (well
technically, in most cases, for the flight).

When it comes to flight travel. When it comes to traveling
with your children, one of the things that can make flying internationally (or even
domestically) really pricey is all of the bags that you have to check-in. For this reason,
it’s a good idea to pack as lightly as possible, to actually speak with the customer service
agent about checking in your children’s strollers and booster seats (they will usually let
you do this for free) and to sign your kids up to get their own frequent flyer miles. Just
one international round-trip flight can store up a lot of points.

When it comes to car rentals. There’s a pretty big chance that if
[Read more…]

Filed Under: kids, travel Tagged With: , ,

Safari LTD Review – Fun Kids Toys

August 9, 2012 by 15 Comments

Toobs! Little Man’s favorite 🙂

No, its not the newest Blue Man Group Show- it’s the super mega huge Jungle Mega Toob. The Mega Toob is twice as big as the regular toob, and houses 24 animals. Ranging in nature from alligators to zebras and lions, if it’s in the zoo chances are pretty good the critter is in this toob. Also, since it is a Safari Toob, the toob itself doubles as easy storage. The top opens and closes simply, making this ideal for vacations or bringing to restaurants and keeping little hands busy. He also got the Red Panda, Orangutang, Lion, and Baby leopard. Red Panda is by far his favorite toy DuJour.

What the? Are you nuts? You may be wondering why would I want to spend my vacation looking for small plastic zebras strewn about the car? Well, the answer to this is simple, don’t give the little ones the whole toob in one shot. As you notice the number of critters [Read more…]

Filed Under: education, kids, review Tagged With: , ,

Hop Along Friday

August 9, 2012 by 1 Comment
Welcome to the Hop Along Friday!
As most of you may be aware of, GFC will no
longer be available to self hosted blogs and non blogger blogs
shortly. We don’t want to leave all of those people out! So, we are
adjusting our hop to include everyone! There are other ways to
follow blogs such as Google+, Networked Blogs, and various other
options. We want everyone to link up!



Here is what we would love for you to do. Please link up your blog and
at the end of it, leave how you would like to be followed. 

Example: Chubby Cheeks Thinks *Google+”
This way, readers aren’t coming to your blog and are at a loss for how
to follow you. It is simple and [Read more…]
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Today’s Daily Deals and Steals

August 9, 2012 by 3 Comments

Right now at Tanga they have Croc shoes on sale for $12.99!! They have flip flops, regular crocs, and sandals up for grabs.

Here are a couple items that are under $1 after using the printable coupons, that you can snag at Walmart this week!

Sale: Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser Starter Kit $5.98
Coupon to Use: $5/1 Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser
Cost: $0.98
Sale:Smuckers Jelly $1.42
Coupon to Use: $0.75 /1 any Smucker’s [Read more…]
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Paper Mill Playhouse Offers Rare, On-Stage Access for Theater Fundraiser

August 8, 2012 by 5 Comments

(Millburn, NJ) Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is pleased to announce a unique fundraiser on the stage of the historic Millburn Theater on Saturday, September 15, at 7:00pm. With live-entertainment by cabaret performer Eddie Bruce, cocktail party guests will be treated to food from Exquisite Entertaining, one of NJ’s premier caterers known for their delectable creations, and wine by Sean Larkin whose Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon have garnered rave reviews. Tickets are $300 per person, $200 of which is tax deductible, and all of the proceeds will go to benefit the many artistic, education, and outreach programs of Paper Mill Playhouse.

To RSVP Call 973-315-1663. There are a limited number of tickets available, so don’t wait!

“We invite you to join us on the Paper Mill Playhouse stage for a cocktail party like none you have ever been to before,” remarked Todd Schmidt Paper Mill Playhouse Managing Director. “What a thrill to sit on the same stage where impressive performers have launched their careers for nearly 75 years. This is a true behind the scenes look at Paper Mill Playhouse with unprecedented access to our famed stage.”

“Paper Mill Playhouse has hosted some of the most legendary actors and actresses of our time,” stated Mark S. Hoebee, Paper Mill’s Producing Artistic Director. “How unique to be able to walk in the footsteps of performers like: Ginger Rodgers, Anne Hathaway, Patrick Swayze, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters and Kristen Chenoweth. This on-stage event will be a truly theatrical experience.”

For more than 25 years, Eddie Bruce has been engaging and delighting audiences. For Paper Mill’s event, he will be performing a special cabaret act. Bruce performs jazz standards throughout the country and after his show at Feinstein’s, the celebrated nightclub of New York, Michael Feinstein said of Bruce, “His voice is wonderful and his stage presence is just as good.” Bruce acknowledges that his career has personally been inspired by Bennett’s “musical integrity, wonderful musicianship, masterful phrasing and total commitment to the preservation of a particular genre of music.”

Wines [Read more…]

Filed Under: theater Tagged With: ,

@Swimways Twitter Party!

August 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Please join us for the Swimways’ Twitter party tomorrow (#SwimSteps) at 8-9pm EST. The conversation will focus on the benefits of teaching your child to swim, and of course prizes will be awarded! The grand prize, which will be awarded to a lucky tweeter who uses the party hashtag and follows Swimways, [Read more…]

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What Exactly Is a Mommy Makeover? Guest Post

August 8, 2012 by 2 Comments

There is nothing you would not do to ensure the health and happiness of your family.
You have attended countless PTA meetings and soccer games, tirelessly scrubbed
those resulting grass stains and kissed the pain away from every bump and scrape. But
what is your reward for all the sacrifices you make? For some moms, their prize comes
in the form of a tropical vacation or just a fruity cocktail on the patio. Many women simply
delight in having nurtured a flourishing family. Others take a more extreme route, opting
for a “mommy makeover,” using plastic surgery to return their bodies to their tighter, pre-
baby forms. Whether you are considering going under the knife or just curious about the
procedures involved, here are some facts you should know about the popular trend.

When you first hear the phrase “mommy makeover,” it sounds innocent enough.
You might think it simply involves a wardrobe overhaul and a new makeup routine. But
it actually consists of a postpartum combination of operations including tummy tuck,
liposuction and breast augmentation in the hopes it will restore a woman’s body to its
condition before childbirth. These surgeries may be performed all at once or over a
period of time.

So what is a tummy tuck? This procedure is used to remove excess fat and skin
from the abdomen. It also repairs the muscles weakened by childbirth and time, creating
a sleek stomach. However, a tummy tuck generally does not eliminate stretch marks and
should not be used in place of a weight-loss routine.

Another component of a mommy makeover is liposuction. This method is used to
suction fat from many different body parts, including neck, chin, arms, legs, abdomen
and [Read more…]

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