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Simple Family Taco Night Party – #JuneDairyMovies

Did you know June is Dairy Month?… You guys know how much I love to entertain, right? And with summer finally showing it’s bright, cheery face around here, my entertaining schedule goes into overdrive! We have a big patio, in ground pool, and a really great, fenced-in yard and field. So what I’m saying is, we’ve got the perfect gathering place for all of our friends and family to come and cool off when it’s hot out! We celebrated last weekend with a little #GrabSummerFun party, as we took the winter cover off of the pool, and started prepping it for summer. This week we’ve had little shindigs almost every evening… I just love an excuse to get the family outside and enjoying the weather together in the evenings. And, since June is Dairy Month at Safeway, which means you get free movie tickets to see the new Ice Age flick when you buy $40 bucks worth of participating dairy goodies, I planned a family night dinner around that, to take advantage of the freebie!

Safeway Just for U

“In summer, the song sings itself.” – William Carlos Williams

Have you checked out the new Safeway Just for U program yet? If you’ve ever shopped at Safeway, I’m sure you already have the Safeway Club Card – the cool red card you swipe at check out to get your extra savings. But now, Safeway has made it even easier to save when you stock up on your families summer favorites – Sign up for Safeway Just for U today, and you get personalized savings tips, you can add digital coupons right to your club card, and right now you get a special coupon for a free dozen eggs added to your card just for joining. Super simple, very smart. {There’s an even an app for your phone too!}

dairy month

June Dairy Month at Safeway = Free Ice Age Movie Tickets #JuneDairyMovies

To get this sweet deal that’s going on this month at Safeway, look for the Dairy Month signs around the store. You’ll see it explained in their weekly sales ad, in big display signs in the dairy aisles, and each participating item will be marked with a little sale tag, so you know for sure what qualifies. I decided to go with a fun Taco Night family get-together, since things like shredded Mexican blend cheese, Dairgold sour cream, and nacho cheese were included in the dairy promotion. Then, since we were inviting Grandma and Papa over too, I picked up supplies to make Root Beer Floats, since those are her favorite. {And the Tillamook ice cream is also part of the promo!} Love getting little freebies like this, just for buying stuff we would have needed anyway.

dairy month taco night

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” – Sam Keen

We loooooove us some Taco Night around here! And since we had a couple of extra friends over, plus Grandma, I made sure to stock up on lots of extra stuff – 3 types of chips to go with 3 different salsas {watch for my tropical salsa recipe tomorrow!}, cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and olives, lettuce, tomato, and onions, spanish rice and beans – and of course, FOUR pounds of taco meat!! Whew, I’m getting hungry again just thinking about it all….

fun with water

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

While I cooked up this simple homemade dinner, the kids cooked up their own fun outside. Since we hit a snag getting the big pool opened up for summer {we have to replace the pump. Ugh.} the kids have to make do with the kiddie pool and slip n’ slide. I absolutely LOVE this shot of Abby… She just learned about the hose, and that she can wave it around to spray the water, and thinks it’s the funnest thing of all time. And while I wish her face was in this shot, I love the way it catches the movement of the water. Very cool.

Dairy Month Taco Night Collage

“When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.” – Joyce Brothers

Finally, dinner was ready – and everyone grabbed towels to gather up for dinner on the patio. Mmmm…. How can you not love a big double-decker taco, perfectly cheesy, topped with crisp lettuce and tangy salsa? So good! And the rootbeer floats were totally a hit – we haven’t had those in over a year. {The fact that I added glow-in-the-dark straws made them even cooler…}

free tickets for ice age

Have your own summertime family night!

Head to your local Safeway store anytime this month, {or any affiliate like Vons, Dominick’s, Genuardi’s, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Pavillions or Carrs} and buy participating dairy items. You don’t have to spend the $40 all at once like I did – if you use your Safeway Club Card, it’ll automatically add up your purchases each time you shop, and let you know how close you are to getting your free tickets. You could have a fun Italian night, with a yummy baked ziti covered in cheeses, partnered with gelato, or BBQ up some burgers, and top ’em with some delicious Tillamook sliced cheese. Then, once you’ve spent $40 bucks, the register will print out a Catalina coupon like the one above, that you can redeem online for two free tickets to see the new Ice Age movie in theaters. That means you’ll get another fun family night, almost free.

“I don’t care how poor a man is; if he has family, he’s rich.” – Dan Wilcox

Collective BiasI am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Safeway #CBias #SocialFabric. All photos and opinions shared here are 100% my own. For more info on this June Dairy Month promotion visit JuneDairyMovies.com.

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Easy Cake Pops: How to Video Makes it Simple!

I love me some cake pops –  And since I’m also VERY much a Semi-Homemade cooking type of gal, I’m a big fan of recipes that involve shortcuts – like pre-made, store-bought products that make the process a little simpler. That is why I’m excited to share this great Cake Pops recipe… It’s not a ton of work, but it’s jazzed up enough that no one will EVER know that it started as out with a simple pound cake you bought at the grocery… Enjoy!

Love Cake Pops? Check out these great goodies too:

 

 

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My Simply Perfect Morning Routine… #IDandMe

“A morning without coffee is like sleep.” Author Unknown… If you’ve read even just a few posts here on this site, you know that the majority of my bloodstream consists of coffee. I crawl out of bed, slither like a helpless jelly-fish to the kitchen to brew my first pot of coffee, and after a few cups of caffeinated goodness, I’m magically transformed into a super mom, ready to take on the challenges of my busy day. Yes, my name is Meagan, and I am a coffee junkie.

making iced coffee at home

“Coffee is a beverage that puts one to sleep when not drank.” – Alphonse Allais

I like pretty much any coffee drink, to be honest. I’ll drink a fancy shmancy drink at Starbucks, and I’ll chug down a cheap cup of coffee from the 7-11 if that’s all I can get access to. {If you were lost in a desert, would you turn down a glass of water because it wasn’t a designer bottled brand? No. And when I haven’t had my coffee, I get pretty desperate for hydration too…} And while I do drink a ton of basic brewed coffee, my fave, especially in the summer, is a perfectly sweetened iced coffee drink. Here’s how I make my home-blend:

  • International Delight Creamer {I usually use Non-Fat French Vanilla, but I do mix it up from time to time}
  • International Delight Original Flavor Iced Coffee in a carton
  • Coffee-cubes – extra strong brewed coffee frozen into ice cubes

I throw a few of the coffee-cubes into my rad International Delight cup, pour the pre-made Iced Coffee {cartons available at Walmart and Safeway} over the cubes, then throw on a splash of creamer to sweeten it up just a bit. Stir it up, and enjoy an amazingly delicious, super quick pick-me-up anytime, made right at home. {Remember how much money I saved when I switched to Iced Coffee from International Delight for a month?} Sooooo good.

working with iced coffee

“Behind every successful woman…is a substantial amount of coffee.” – Stephanie Piro

This is my daily coffee moment… I love to mix up a glass of creamy iced coffee, then head out to the patio with my drink and my laptop, to get some early morning work done before the craziness of the day begins. It’s such a nice way to get started… sunshine, the sound of the birds singing in our field, and a perfectly blended iced coffee to get me revved up and ready to tackle my to-do list.

Check out International Delight’s new Coffee Creamer packaging on Facebook!

Enjoying a coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee break Kit, by completing these two steps:

1) Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest

2) Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.

 

jjjEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:
•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)
•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.
This
ddddEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:
•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)
•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.
ThisEnjoying coffee at home will be even more special for 4 lucky winners! Enter to win $1000 toward your dream kitchen and an International Delight Coffee Break Kit, by completing these two steps:
•1. Re-pin my coffee moment photo on Pinterest. (* this will clearly be defined by blogger)
•2. Come back! In the comment field below, tell me you pinned and share your special coffee moment.
This

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight June Sponsored Conversation. The opinions and text are all mine. International Delight Sweepstakes and Rules.

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5 Great Tips to Steal from the Greek Lifestyle…

Healthy Living, the Greek way… You’ve probably heard the term “Opa!” – a popular Greek term used to express excitement and cheer, right? Greeks are super smart about finding creative ways to celebrate their heritage, food, and family every day. They seek balance in their daily lives by participating in outdoor activities and relying on a healthy diet of olive oil, grains, vegetables, fish and dairy. Clearly, this is a lifestyle worth borrowing a few tips from.

chelsie hightower healthy living tips

Healthy Living Tips inspired by Greek Living – from Chelsie Hightower

Get some great ideas for healthy living from the amazing Chelsie Hightower, from Dancing With the Stars. These 5 tips will have you living like a Greek in no time – and can help you be happier, healthier, and full of “Opa!” too…

  1. Take your workouts outside. While a walk around your neighborhood might seem less exciting than a hike around Greek ruins, try to find something in your local outdoors that motivates and excites you. Explore a local park or a new neighborhood route to change up your fitness routine.
  2. Make healthy meal choices. I try to stick to a Mediterranean influenced diet that is rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruit, fish and dairy. I enjoy finding recipes online and then trying them at home. Old London has some great recipes on their Facebook page.
  3. Go dancing. In Greece, dancing is a large part of any celebration or gathering. I love going  dancing with friends; not only do we have a great time but I also get a workout!
  4. Healthy Living = Happiness. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to plan a gettogether. Invite friends and family over just because! Ask guests to bring a dish, or set out appetizers like olives, cheese and Old London Melba Toast for everyone to enjoy. I’ve found being happy is a big step to staying healthy.
  5. Love yourself. People come in all shapes and sizes, and what works on others won’t necessary work for you. Being healthy is about how you feel. Stop comparing yourself to others and begin loving the person you are from head to toe.

Celebrity dancer Chelsie Hightower has teamed up with some awesome nutrition and culinary experts, and partnered with Old London this summer – to help you incorporate the spirit of Greek culture into your life with easy-to-manage health tips like these, and super yummy recipes to support an overall healthy lifestyle for you and your family. I LOVE these ideas, and am already using them in my own life…

super simple spinach party dip

How I bring Greek Living to my Summer entertaining

Have you ever tried Old London snacks? They’ve got some really great options that are perfect for summer entertaining, like the ones I used at last weekend’s BBQ  – Melba Sea Salt Whole Grain {perfect fit with my Nutrisystem diet}, Melba Toast in Rosemary & Olive Oil {perfectly crunchy}, and Garlic & Herb Bagel Chips {all natural, no trans fat. Awesome.} These paired up pretty much perfectly with my favorite Super Simple Spinach Party Dip. Here’s the quick steps to put it together:

  • 1 {10 oz} package of frozen chopped spinach
  • 1 package Veggie recipe soup mix
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 (16 oz) container sour cream
  • 3 chopped green onions

Directions for Super Simple Spinach Party Dip: Put frozen spinach into a strainer to thaw out. Once thawed, squeeze out any extra water, and get the spinach as dry as possible so your dip doesn’t get too runny. Combine all of the ingredients into a big bowl, stir to mix, then refrigerate for a couple of hours to let the flavors blend together. Serve with bread, crackers – or my personal fave, Old London chips and crisps!

Old London is sending one lucky winner and a guest on an all-expense paid trip to the Greek Islands!

Old London SweepstakesOne lucky Old London fan is going to get a first-hand experience of the local culture, food and activities that help the Greek stay so healthy and happy. “Say Opa! to a better you by
maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and participating in physical activities you love while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Greek Islands!” – Visit Facebook.com/OldLondonFoods to get tips on living a healthy lifestyle and your chance to
win. I cannot even imagine how amazing this trip would be… Grand Prize: 8-day/7-night trip for two to Greece. Prize includes the following: Round trip (coach class) air transportation from a major airport nearest the winner’s home address. Seven nights (double occupancy) first class hotel accommodations in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. $2,000 gift card for spending money. {Approximate retail value $9,500. Grand Prize winner may select a cash option of $5,000 in lieu of the travel prize. But who would pass up a trip to Greece, right??} So what are you waiting for? Head on over to their Facebook page today, check out more delicious recipes to help you life like a Greek – then enter to WIN a chance to REALLY live like a Greek on this sweet getaway adventure.

What do YOU think??

Do you plan to try “Living Greek” – using Chelsie Hightowers healthy living tips inspired by the Greek lifestyle, or trying some of the super yummy recipes on the Old London Facebook page? Are you from a Greek family, and have some additional fun tips to share with us? I love hearing from you guys – so don’t be shy, comment away!

{Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. Photo Credit for first photo.}

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How a Biscotti Break Makes Mom Life a Little Easier

Today’s lives move so fast. We often forget to take a break, a moment to just slow things down and breathe… A photo captures a moment forever.Do you take a “moment” just for yourself each day? I mean sure, it’d be nice if I was able to get out for a girl’s night out more often. Or maybe an afternoon of shopping, or a mani-pedi. Heck – some days it would be nice if I could just go to the bathroom by myself…. But, no matter how hectic the busy mom life gets, it’s important to find a way to carve out at least a little bit of time that’s just for you.

a mom moment

Yes, I know that taking a biscotti break isn’t the same as a day at the spa.

But it is a great little addition to my day – and honestly, it’s those little moments in each day that help keep stress at bay anyway, right? Nonni’s Biscotti is so perfect – high quality all-natural ingredients. The perfect combination of textures and flavors too – really lightly crunchy {not like the rock-hard store-bought biscotti’s that I’ve tried before}, with a great blend of sweetness. Seriously, these surprised me – The only biscotti that I’ve ever liked was the homemade version that my friend’s Italian mom and grandma used to make when I’d come to visit – but these Caramel Milk Chocolate bites are crazy good. I believe it when they call them an “Authentic Italian Family Recipe”, I’ve just never had such a good version that you could purchase off the shelf. They’re my new go-to morning snack… I slip out to the back patio with my newspaper, a bowl of biscotti, and a tall glass of iced coffee to dip them into – and for a half hour, it’s all me time, baby.

best biscotti

Share YOUR Biscotti Moment…

Nonni’s Biscotti wants to know how you enjoy a moment to yourself. If you have a great biscotti moment to share too, enter to win a trip for two to Hollywood for some REALLY great moments to enjoy, or a weekly product prize package. You can enter daily on the Nonni’s Biscotti Facebook page!

{Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Nonni’s Biscotti and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.}

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A Modern Moms “Must Have” for Dining Out with Toddlers

“You put this over a highchair, and you’ve got a place mat that you can easily wipe down.” – Joy Behar There’s a reason that celebrity moms like Joy Behar from The View are loving this new mom-invented product – because it is a total Smart Solution for Busy Moms! Have you ever taken a toddler out to eat at a restaurant? You know that crazy mess that they make as they throw food on the floor, spill their drink, and use the complimentary crayons to draw on the high chair instead of the coloring sheet? And have you ever wondered how clean those high chairs really are? Then you, my friend, are ready to meet the Neatnik Saucer.

How clever is that, right?

And it seriously works that easily. Sometimes you see a video like this, love it, but it does NOT work the same way when you get it home, right? But this is super fun and just pops open and shut easy peasy. It’s a life saver when dining out, because it really helps prevent that embarrassing mess that toddlers make all over the floor. And – while there are a ton of really great options for toddler high chair covers on their site, my favorite one, the Rome, has an added feature – It’s a blank canvas for little ones to color on while they wait for their dinner. This really helps keep tantrums at bay when you’ve got a hungry tummy or grumpy kiddo.

toddler high chair cover

“A two-year old is kind of like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it. – Jerry Seinfeld

The Neatnik has worked perfectly on every restaurant high chair we’ve used it on so far. But I also love, love, LOVE using it at home to keep Abby occupied and out of trouble. Her new favorite thing lately is coloring, but it’s amazing how quickly she would lose interest in the coloring book I’d give her, and start sharing her artist skills onto the kitchen floor. But when I set her into her chair with the Rome, she’ll color away forever. Really helps when I’m trying to cook dinner and don’t want a little one running under my feet, you know? It doesn’t fit quite the same on our home high chair, but it honestly works good enough to entertain her, and give me a few minutes to work. The suction cups under the tray portion keep it in place no matter what type of chair you attach it to. Awesome.

“You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.” – Franklin P Jones

If you want to get this smart solution to make dining out less of a mess, you can check out the Rome, and all of the other cute designs of Neatnik Saucer online. And – if you’re feelin’ lucky, you can also enter to WIN one today too! Just use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form below to get your entries in – the more you complete, the more chances you have to win.

Have fun & Good luck!

[Read more…]

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Turkey Burger with Onion-Apple Relish

With the Nutrisystem diet, I’m super excited for summer. I’m excited to finally wear a bikini again and rock my Mom-garita look, I’m excited to actually be able to jump in and have fun during our pool parties instead of hiding behind a big towel, and I’m super excited to have found some awesome recipes for summer BBQ’s featuring my fave Nutrisystem foods. When you’re a Nutrisystem member, you get access to a ton of cool online tools – including a super sweet recipe section. I found a Refreshing Summer Poke Cake, made with Nutrisystem Golden Pound Cake and strawberries, some super yummy sweet potato fries, and this one which is my favorite – Turkey Burger with Onion-Apple Relish. Mmmmm – Super excited to try it this weekend.

low fat turkey burger

Turkey Burger with Onion-Apple Relish

Ingredients

  • Calorie-free pan spray, as needed
  • 4, 4 oz. turkey burgers, extra lean variety
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, julienne slices
  • 1 medium apple, peeled, cut into quarters
  • 1 Tbsp. apple sauce (unsweetened)
  • 1/4 tsp. cumin, ground
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper, as desired
  • Lettuce, as desired
  • Tomatoes, sliced
  • 4 each burger buns, whole grain

Instructions

  1. 1. Heat grill or broiler.
  2. 2. Spray onions, peppers and apples with pan spray, place on grill or under a broiler and cook until all pieces are slightly charred and beginning to soften.
  3. 3. Cool vegetables and apples slightly, then mince all grilled items and place in a small bowl.
  4. 4. Add apple sauce, cumin and pepper to bowl and toss to blend. Allow to stand covered while you prepare your burgers.
  5. 5. Prepare turkey burgers on grill or under broiler. Place burgers on a bun and spread a portion of the onion-apple relish over each burger. Top with tomato slices and lettuce if desired.
  6. Variations and Serving Suggestions:
  7. Substitute extra-lean ground beef for the turkey burgers, or use the Nutrisystem® Flame Broiled Beef Patty or Nutrisystem® Grilled Chicken Breast, then top with relish. Yields 4 servings.
https://sunshineandsippycups.com/2012/05/turkey-burger-with-onion-apple-relish/

I Heart Nutrisystem!

There are so many things to love about Nutrisystem, and these awesome member-submitted recipes are so incredibly helpful. Each month I get a huge shipment filled with all of my favorites – but even with all of that variety, sometimes you do crave “new” foods. Having access to these awesome recipes in my Nutrisystem account make is so easy to use my prepackaged foods to make super fun summer recipes.

Results for This Week

Ok, I have a confession. This week I didn’t lose any weight. Super bummed about that. BUT – I had two big parties for friends, plus a Mother’s Day brunch and dinner party. I’m learning to make better choices when I can’t eat my balanced Nutrisystem meals, but I did splurge a little this week. Luckily, I’ve been adding more exercise by going on daily walks with Abby, and followed the plan perfectly when I was eating at home – which prevented me from GAINING weight. So for that I’m grateful. And this week I’m just working twice as hard at losing a pound or two!

WANT TO GET YOUR PRE-BABY BODY BACK TOO?

Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting Nutrisystem.com. It’s simple to get started, the foods are actually really good, with loads of variety. Heck – you even get to have chocolate cake or ice cream each night for dessert, how great is that? Get started today – it’s the best choice you’ll make this year!

READ MORE ABOUT MY NUTRISYSTEM WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY, AND FOLLOW MY WEIGHT LOSS BOARD ON PINTEREST TOO!

{Disclaimer: I’m receiving a complimentary membership and access to all Nutrisystem products and services, to review here for you. All photos, opinions, and results here are 100% my own personal experience – and may vary for others.}

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