Uncategorized – Page 29

Great Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

November 13, 2014 by Danielle

So one of my girlfriends reminded me the other day that there are only 6 more Fridays before Christmas. Whaaat?? That was totally a wake up call to get the ball rolling and start thinking of gift ideas for the whole family.

Good thing my kids never stop adding things to their “list” year round when we’re at stores and when they watch a show on one of “those” networks with all of the kid-geared commercials.

I’ve rounded up a few of our favorite gifts this season and have included something for each member of the family! Including me. Because you can’t forget the big pregnant lady, right?

Grown Up Hot Chocolate Drink Recipe for Girls Night

November 5, 2014 by Danielle

This weekend I’m hosting bunco and that means 3 things: laughter, big winners, and alcohol. And even if I can’t partake, I can still make it fun for the gals coming over!

Whoever hosts bunco is in charge of dinner for the girls but I always like to add a little something special as well so I’m making a big batch of hot chocolate to put in the crock pot and adding a bit of Godiva chocolate liqueur to make things a little more fun.

This is the perfect recipe to warm up on a cold winter day, or to keep the laughter going as we roll the dice and find out who will win the most buncos. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Drinks & Refreshments, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: alcoholic drinks, boozy drinks, cocoa, drink recipe, Drinks, hot chocolate, hot cocoa

Quick and Easy Egg Bake Recipe with Bacon

November 3, 2014 by Danielle

This post featuring a quick and easy egg bake recipe with bacon is sponsored by Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese.

Over the years I’ve found myself hosting a lot of get togethers around breakfast time. And that means I’ve had time to perfect my favorite brunch dishes (like my ever so popular overnight french toast bake).

One thing I love to make for brunch are egg dishes. From quiche to egg cups to this egg bake, egg dishes are so easy to throw together and are almost always the one dish that’s completely devoured by the end of our events.

And I have a secret ingredient I add to each of these dishes – Daisy cottage cheese. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Breakfast, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: bacon, Breakfast, breakfast casseroles, breakfast ideas, cottage cheese, egg dishes, Eggs

Easy Entertaining with Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Appetizers

October 30, 2014 by Danielle

This post featuring Easy Entertaining with Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Appetizers is written by me on behalf of the Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry.

I love appetizers. They’re small, bite-sized, and packed with flavor. So when appetizers become easy enough to throw together with 2-5 ingredients you know I’m interested!

Last week I was invited to attend a delicious party featuring Pepperidge Farm puff pastry and a handful of recipes. While I mingled with social media friends I was able to try a nibble of just about everything. And this pregnant mama was very grateful for the small bites.

If you’re planning a homegating party or heading to the next game for some tailgating fun, then you’ll love these quick and easy recipes you can whip up in no time. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Appetizers & Sides, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: appetizers, Football, Pepperidge Farm

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake

October 29, 2014 by Danielle

I haven’t written much about my pregnancy… I guess it’s just flying by so quickly I haven’t gotten a chance. But I do have to say that this pregnancy is, by far, harder than the others.

The first few months were filled with nausea and than once that dissipated I was left with horrible heartburn after I ate anything. No, not just acidic foods or specific things. I got heartburn after every.single.piece of food I put in my mouth.

And now that the heartburn has finally subsided I’m left with the smallest stomach ever. Like seriously… baby girl grew enough that now she’s not giving me any room for food. So that leads me to alternatives to stay full and still eat nutritious meals that are tasty.

That’s when this delicious shake comes into play. I headed online to find a healthy alternative to my favorite meal replacement shake used pre-pregnancy and stumbled upon Baby Booster.

After a little reading and a few clicks, I had a package of their Kona Mocha flavor ordered and sent to me to try out. When it arrived they not only included the product I ordered but a few samples of their other flavors and a cool shaker bottle to use. Talk about a quick and easy way to get a nutritious meal!

I’m not one for just drinking something straight from the package instructions so I decided to add a few of my favorite flavors and create a whole meal that i could easily make in the mornings as I pack my son’s lunch.

No more waiting till 9am when I head back home from morning drop off to have a proper breakfast!

By adding 1/2 of a frozen banana, 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and some 1% milk to the Kona Mocha Baby Booster mix I had a delicious meal filled with 20g of Protein, ONLY 2g of Sugar, and all of my daily vitamins.

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake

1 cup 1% milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 frozen banana, sliced
1 scoop Kona Mocha Baby Booster

Instructions

Pour 1 cup of milk into your blender or Magic Bullet. Add peanut butter and sliced banana. Top with a scoop of Kona Mocha Baby Booster and blend.
Pour into a cup, add a straw, and enjoy!

Now I not only can enjoy a delicious meal as we head out for drop off in the mornings, I’m also comfortably full for the morning until lunch.

Oh, and did I mention that Baby Booster is safe for pregnant moms (obviously), and nursing mothers as well as diabetics and those who are gluten free?

I can’t wait to be able to actually eat more once baby moves but for now I’ll stick with this quick and easy meal in the mornings!

What’s your go-to shake recipe for when you’re on-the-go?

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Filed Under: Drinks & Refreshments, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: Baby Booster, Banana, Breakfast, Peanut Butter, shakes

Quick and Easy DIY Bats {Simple Cricut Vinyl Projects}

October 27, 2014 by Danielle

When I was asked to test out the new Cricut Explore I don’t think I waited a few seconds before responding back with a resounding YES. One thing I love about the Cricut Explore is how simple and easy it is to use.

Making simple Cricut vinyl projects like these bats makes holiday decorating a breeze. I simply look up the images I want to cut out in the design space and add them to my template. Then I load the machine and off I go!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY, Halloween, Holidays, Uncategorized

Quick and Easy Snacks On The Go

October 20, 2014 by Danielle

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Influence-Central for Jif To Go Dippers. I received a sample to facilitate my review and a thank you item for participating.

We are officially in the middle of the busy season – holidays, school events, life in general. And sometimes that means we don’t have time to stop for snacks. So I need to stock up on quick and easy snacks on the go for me and the kids to enjoy while we’re out and about.

Luckily we just found one that all of us can agree has quickly become a family favorite over the past few weeks. JIF To-Go Dippers! are a new portable snack that combine the deliciousness of peanut butter and pretzels or chocolate silk and pretzels.

I’m having a hard time figuring out if these are a portable snack or a portable dessert! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Snacks, Uncategorized Tagged With: Jif, Jif To Go, snack, Snack Ideas

Lemon Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time

October 15, 2014 by Danielle

One thing I depend on as a busy mom (and exhausted pregnant lady) are the kitchen hacks I’ve come to learn over the years. One of my favorites depends on a well stocked pantry and freezer. I’ve been saved countless nights from the dreaded “what’s for dinner” question by having go-to pantry meals to serve for dinner.

Now I’ve been buying Dorot frozen crushed garlic and chopped basil for years now but during a recent grocery trip I was surprised to find sautéed glazed onions next to my beloved garlic and basil. I may have shed a small tear of joy (because I wouldn’t have to chop onions anymore!!).

By stocking up on Dorot products I bypass the time it takes to chop up herbs, garlic, and now onions before preparing my meal. That’s like 5-10 minutes of savings!

I also try and keep items like marinated artichoke hearts in the pantry for my favorite fresh AND easy 30 minute meals – like this lemon artichoke chicken pasta.

Being able to simply dump out a jar of artichoke hearts into the basil, garlic and onions already cooking is far easier than adding the various seasonings needed to get the delicious flavor these marinated artichoke hearts give to the dish.

Bonus Tip: Another great time saving kitchen hack? Pound your chicken breasts into thin cutlets so they cook faster!

What I love about recipes like these is that I literally have everything I need right in my pantry and freezer! The only thing I added was a fresh squeeze of lemon but if you have lemon juice in the fridge you’re good to go!

The only thing I have to remember? To take the chicken out of the freezer! You’d be surprised at how hard this step is when you’re running around all day.

Pasta is a great go-to on busy nights. And sauces like this don’t have to be complicated. A few simple ingredients that lend themselves to one another can create a stellar dish even picky eaters like mine will enjoy.

Or you can always reach for my other pantry staple – marinara sauce. With the holidays coming up I foresee a busy time ahead and will need all of the hacks I can use!

If you’re looking for more kitchen hacks I highly suggest checking out the Hacks of Life pinterest board. So many great ideas and a TON of genius cooking hacks.

Lemon Artichoke Chicken Pasta

1 box angel hair pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 chicken breasts
flour (for dredging)
salt & pepper
1 Dorot crushed garlic cube
1 Dorot chopped basil cube
1 Dorot Sautéed Onion cube
1 jar Fresh & Easy marinated artichoke hearts
1 cup chicken broth
juice of 1/2 a lemon

Set pot of water on the stove to boil. Sprinkle in some salt.
While waiting for water to boil, place chicken breast (1 at a time) in a quart size zippered bag and pound to about 1/2 an inch thin.
Heat a large pan on medium and add olive oil.
Add salt and pepper to flour and dredge thin chicken breasts in it on each side. Place chicken in olive oil once heated and brown on both sides. Take chicken out and set aside.
By this time your water might be boiling. Add pasta and cook as directed on the packaging.
Add garlic, basil, and onions to the pan and sauté until thawed. Add the jar of artichoke hearts and cook for 1-2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and let cook until pasta is done, allowing sauce to reduce.
Chop chicken into strips or small pieces, whichever you prefer.
Once pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce pan. Sprinkle with juice of 1/2 a lemon.Toss, serve in a bowl, and top with chicken.

What’s your favorite kitchen hack?

Filed Under: Dinner, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: 30 Minute Meals, artichoke, chicken, dinner recipe, lemon, Pasta

How to Be A Princess: 5 Tips to a Princess Makeover

October 14, 2014 by Danielle

This shop sharing how to be a princess has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DisneyBeauties

It’s official… the princess craze is in full force in our home and there’s no denying it. And with a second little girl on the way I foresee many years of pink tiaras, Princess costumes, and jewelry ahead of me.

In an effort to turn the princess perception into a teachable moment for my girls I’ve come up with 5 tips for releasing your inner princess. To help focus on the great things about princesses and what they bring to our society. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Disney, gift ideas, Uncategorized Tagged With: Aurora, Princess costumes, Princess Halloween costumes, Princess makeover, Sleeping Beauty Blu-Ray, Sleeping Beauty DVD

The Perfect Coffee Gift Basket plus a Cinnamon Marshmallow Recipe

October 12, 2014 by Danielle

This shop featuring the perfect coffee gift basket and a cinnamon marshmallow recipe has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ChooseSmart

As I’ve mentioned before, my good friend Nadia will be leaving soon and off to her next adventure as her husband gets new orders. So I’ve been wracking my brain with what I could give her that was easy to pack and would remind her of our friendship.

Since most of our time together is spent watching the kids and drinking coffee I thought that a coffee gift basket with her favorite treats would be the perfect gift! And adding a homemade element (with a recipe card, of course) just added that perfect personal touch.

What would be better than enjoying a delicious caramel coffee drink topped with homemade cinnamon marshmallows before gifting her the gift basket? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Desserts, In the Kitchen, Recipes, Uncategorized Tagged With: Ambiance, coffee, marshmallows, Recipe, Smart & Final, Smart and Final

Great Gift Ideas for the Whole Family

Grown Up Hot Chocolate Drink Recipe for Girls Night

Quick and Easy Egg Bake Recipe with Bacon

Easy Entertaining with Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Appetizers

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake

Mocha Peanut Butter Banana Shake

What’s your go-to shake recipe for when you’re on-the-go?

Quick and Easy DIY Bats {Simple Cricut Vinyl Projects}

Quick and Easy Snacks On The Go

Lemon Artichoke Chicken Pasta + Pantry Staples to Save Time

Lemon Artichoke Chicken Pasta

What’s your favorite kitchen hack?

How to Be A Princess: 5 Tips to a Princess Makeover

The Perfect Coffee Gift Basket plus a Cinnamon Marshmallow Recipe

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danielle@acraftyspoonful.com

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