Easy, on-the-go solution to a delicious breakfast option!

"This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group and Jimmy Dean, but all opinions are my own. #pmedia #RedboxBreakfast http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO. "

Sundays are my favorite day of the week. I don't know what it is about that day, but it's always the one day of the week where I feel great, my house looks great, my family feels great, and most importantly, I eat great. As in, I eat a really really really good breakfast. Breakfast is, after all, the most important meal of the day, and I have to say that my husband spoils us rotten. We don't skimp when it comes to breakfasts and we love to have a variety for all to pick from. Who am I kidding here, there is not much picking as there is just devouring everything. From pancakes to bacon, toast, omelettes, and waffles. Throw in a glass of orange juice and a side of fruit and we have all food groups covered. Maple syrup with cinnamon and whipped cream is the obvious dessert here.

Lately though, I have noticed that when we go to the early service at Church {we're talking 9 am here}, then we are always making a quick breakfast on the go. Which is okay, as we definitely don't need a production each and every time, but I definitely feel like it's becoming the same old boring---greab a cereal bar, a banana, and maybe a bowl of cereal if you're lucky and go. I miss my eggs. I miss my bacon. I just miss the feeling of the Sunday meal that I so look forward to having every week.

So, I needed a solution.

I told Andrew that there was an easy fix to all this and I was going to figure it out.

Therefore, this past Sunday, I explained to Andrew that I would be in charge of breakfast that day. He usually insists, but for whatever reason, did not try to argue this one---this wonderful idea that I had in mind. Probably because it meant that he could sleep in a little while longer. I made sure that we were stocked in the fruit department, and picked up a box of Jimmy Dean breakfast bowls at Walmart after work that morning.

I came home to a quiet house and sleeping babies, so decided to pop the breakfast bowl into the microwave, cut up the fruit, filled the cups, and set the table. By the time I got the kids out of bed {including the husband}, the house already smelled like someone had been cooking all morning, and all eyes got real big upon seeing what was on their plates. I don't think anyone even spoke during the meal {which took approximately 2 minutes to scarf down}, and there certainly was not a crumb of food left.

"Oh honey, that was so good!" Andrew said.

"You should be in charge of Sunday breakfast more often," he went on.

I nodded my head and smiled.

"Where did you come up with the recipe, or did you just throw it all together," he asked.

I thought about that one for a moment. Should I tell him the secret? Should I spoil the fun? Should I explain that I'm not miss domestic breakfast maker after all? There was a brief hesitation. But of course I couldn't give all my super powers away. So I told him that he wouldn't be finding out today, however, I'd wake up extra early the next day so he would have a yummy breakfast to take with him to work.

All options available at Walmart 

You would think that I told him that I was buying him the new XBOX {which he wants by the way}. And from that look on his face? There's definitely no way I'll ever tell him that the secret to a quick, easy, and most definitely delicious breakfast that happened to come in a box. They're called Jimmy Dean Breakfast Meat Lovers Bowl. 

Next time, I'm cooking the sandwiches.  And next time I have a big family affair? You better believe I'll save myself all the dishes, all the time, and all the energy and turn to what I like to call now my old faithful.

Quick. Easy. On-the-go solution.

Problem solved.

Follow along with Jimmy Dean Here:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Us women--- we tend to forget about ourselves and our needs and wants.

Do you ever think about things that you used to do prior to children versus what you do now, post children? I don't think about it too often, as there is not much of my past that I miss or wish I could have again---if not nothing. However, sometimes when I'm rushing around to get a pair of socks on one kid and a shirt over the other while they run away from me giggling, I think about the things that I miss out doing for myself. Wouldn't you agree that moms tend to think about themselves last and that we sacrifice our needs or wants for those that we love?

I would say that is pretty darn accurate.

We spend so much of our time worrying about the children and worrying about getting to places on time, that we eliminate things that seem to just not matter.

Did you know that women won't use lotion daily because it takes too long to apply and absorb? I thought this was very interesting because my initial response was---"That's silly, that takes two seconds!" And then I had to back up and ask myself when was the last time I actually lotioned {not a word, I know} myself from head to to toe. Crickets. The answer is--forever.

Have you ever did a full body lotion right after the shower and then realized that you had to put on your skinny jeans in about two seconds? That is always a fun pleasant surprise.

So what is the solution for those that just don't have the time to wait?
Vaseline® Spray & Go Moisturizer.

This is a continuous spray lotion that moisturizes and absorbs in seconds, and after putting it to the test, I have to admit that seconds is definitely the best way to describe it. It's almost as though you just spent the time to put lotion on your body and then use a towel instantly after to dry off. Except here, you actually get to feel that moisturized look without feeling greasy! They even have a great feature where the dispenser is 360 degrees and allows you to be rest assured that all areas are covered, and applied evenly.

I have to imagine that Vaseline® knew what they were doing when they created this moisturizer. A bunch of women got together and all came to the conclusion that we do not take care of ourselves as often as we should do to time constraints.

Not a problem any longer my friends. Not at all.

When you're at the store, be sure to grab a bottle for yourself and use this coupon for extra savings--- $2 off coupon, and if you share with a friend on Facebook, get an additional $2 off coupon! 

This sponsored post was written while participating in my partnership with Vaseline and One2One Network, but as always, all opinions are my.

The 5 minute or less bathroom routine! A mom's best friend.

"This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group and Rubbermaid and Cottonelle  but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #CtnlCareRoutine http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO "

They tell you a lot of things when you are pregnant.

Be prepared to fall in love over and over again.

Be prepared for little to no sleep.

Be prepared to be awed by every little thing this human being does. 

Be prepared for messes that you never experienced before.

Be prepared to experience pure joy, happiness, and excitement each and every day. 

Be prepared to not shower, brush your teeth, or put on appropriate matching clothing until way past noon.

Just, be prepared because it is unlike anything you have ever experienced or done in your life.

And although not everything holds true for everyone out there, the one thing that is ultimately fact across the board is that motherhood is in fact unlike anything out there. And there is truly nothing to fully prepare you for all that it entails.

The thing that amazes me the most is how prior to children, or any life experience that we find challenging, we always say things like "Wow, I don't know how she does it!" Or, "There's no way I could do it." We see these challenges that others go through and cannot possibly imagine where they find the time or better yet energy to not only take care of the children but always make time for the other things that require our attention.

Like? Cleaning.

I have never been a big fan of cleaning. For me, I love the end result: a fresh, good smelling, clean home. But the process? Not so much.

I hate knowing that I spend so much time cleaning something that will ultimately get dirty again, in what may seem like less than 24 hours. If not sooner. I hate knowing that I could be investing that time into something more beneficial. Thinking to myself, how does cleaning possibly make the world go round. But no matter how many questions I ask myself, or no matter which way I want to work around this dilemma, I still find myself having to deal with the inevitable.

The key for me though is now finding how to make my cleaning routines quicker and more enjoyable, starting with the place that I usually dread the most--the bathroom. Then again, who actually enjoys scrubbing toilets and bathtubs? Don't answer that.

Here is my quick 5 minute or less routine and essentials.

THE ROUTINE

THE ESSENTIALS

I did forget to mention that the phone also plays a key role in cleaning, as it the owner of the pandora station that blasts country music while I clean. The kids are usually dancing in the background.... and trying to help.

BEFORE/AFTER

Left: Post bath craziness Right: 5 minutes later

As you can see, there is no rocket science to it. The thing for me is finding products that are reliable and that I enjoy. Cottonelle Cleaning Cloths are one of those products that is not only simple to use, but also one that fits in with my decor and easily accessible when I need it. And in between my "official" clean ups, I can tidy up the little messes that are made by the children that have this way of destroying a place in 1.5 seconds. Not to mention, the husband as well.

If you have a Wal-Mart in your area, be sure to buy two of my products there---the Cottonelle Clean Care toilet paper and the cleaning cloths. They are right by one another, but you can always ask {like I did}, if you get lost! There is also a great offer going on now if you purchase both products during the month of February---receive $5 Vudu credit [think HD movies to rent!} by following these simple steps:

1. Take a picture of receipt showing you purchased both items.
2. Text or email picture to clean@drvsusa.com
3. You will receive a text {or email} back with promo code for $5 movie credit.
4. Get more info by visiting: www.drvsusa.com/cottonellemovies

Now that I have the art of cleaning a bathroom down... let's see if I can figure out a way to clean the kitchen in 5 minutes or less......

All suggestions are welcome!

Making my Super Bowl party one to remember. And to take home.

"This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group and Rubbermaid and Sharpie but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #RubbermaidSharpie http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO "

When Andrew and I met in college, I told him that I was a sports girl. I loved football. I was into basketball. Take me to a ball game. I'm that girl. To this day, Andrew reminds me, quite frequently, about this little "fib" that I told, and after 8 years he is still trying to convince me of that girl I used to be. Except I never really was that girl. Here is the truth--- I'm quite the opposite. I do like going to games, but that mainly stems from the fact that I love to be around people, eat loads of delicious stadium food, and have a few drinks while yelling at the top of my lungs. Even if I don't know what is going on. I'll be the biggest fan---in the moment. All while sporting the jersey of the team we are rooting for.

The same goes for watching sports television. Having it on all hours of the day just because? No thank you. Having it on while having other people over and preparing appetizers and cold beverages? Sign me up. Any reason to have a good time with some close family or friends then I'm all for it. Even, shockingly, if that means sports are involved. I've even gotten excited about a wrestling match. That cost us $60 just to watch by the way.

S
o when it comes to the Super Bowl, I get excited. I think about what appetizers we will make. I think about the games that we will play. And I think about which team I'm going to choose to root for. Usually it is the opposite team that my husband chooses. Just to have a little fun with it. Needless to say, it irritates him when I'm cheering for "the other team."

With this upcoming Super Bowl party planning in the works, I thought about what the main course would be. We decided to have a test trial one night, and I was immediately hooked from the first bite of Chicken fajitas. I have decided to include the recipe below for anyone that may be interested. We are also making some of the greatest appettizers that we have been hooked on since Andrew's mom passed the recipes down to us. And lastly, I will be including "To-Go" sacks for those leaving the party. I found this cute printable here, printed it, colored it with my Sharpie markers, and cut it out in the shape of a football. To me it's a football, to Andrew it's just an "egg."

Want to make your own To-Go sacks? They're simple! Text the word: COUPONS to Target from your cell phone, and receive a coupon for $1 off Rubbermaid Food Storage, and $1 off Sharpie Markers {4 pack or larger}. Go to your nearest Target, pick up your items and be sure to use your coupons. Pick up ribbon if you don't already have any. Print off this printable. Color it any way you please, fill the containers, seal, tie, and you're set!

To-Go SACK. 

We always have leftovers. Always. A lot of food that is good, but a lot of food that I do not want the day after. Well, okay, I may want it, but do I need it? The answer is no. So to go with the party theme, I decided to pick up some Rubbermaid glass containers of different sizes, and some Sharpie markers from Target for the decorating. And then my creative juices started flowing.

I'm going to take a moment here to tell you how I was thoroughly impressed with the Rubbermaid containers. We have been on a big glass only kick and I love that Rubbermaid gives you that option when deciding how to spend your money, and spend it wisely. The great thing about the bowl that I had purchased is that I can use it during the party to fill with salsa, chips, or anything else that will get devoured within seconds, and then I can turn around, wash it, and fill it for the guys to take home their goods. It fulfills two purposes in one, and that alone sealed the deal for me. Now to convince the guys to bring it back---there's where the dilemma lies.

For the printables, I decided to print out football helmets of both teams and write the different ingredients and food items on each card with my Sharpie markers. On the day of the party, I plan on printing larger pictures of the football helmets and making a triangle banner spelling out Superbowl. 

I keep thinking of more and more ways of making the party fun, that I completely forgot the original purpose. Deciding which team to root for.

Like I said, the game is for my husband, and the party is for me. Any reason to have friends over and enjoy a table full of delicious food? I'm in. Maybe I'll even hoot and holler like my husband. Maybe I'll even learn a few game rules and get angry when the wrong calls are made. Maybe I'll even be.... converted.

Oh, my husband can only dream. 

Chicken Fajita Recipe--Original link where below ingredients/directions originated

INGREDIENTS

1. 1 teaspoon pure chile powder
2. 1 teaspoon kosher salt
3. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4. 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
5. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
6. 1 tablespoon cornstarch
7. 1/4 cup water
8. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
9. 1 whole skinless, boneless chicken breast (about 1 pound), cut into 1/2-inch strips
10. 1 green bell pepper—cored, seeded and cut into thin strips
11. 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
12. 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
13. 8 flour tortillas, warmed in the microwave
14. Shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa and sour cream, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. In a resealable plastic bag, combine the chile powder with the salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cornstarch, water and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the chicken, bell pepper and onion, seal and knead gently to coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
2. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet until shimmering. Empty the contents of the bag into the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice.
3. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a large bowl and serve with the warmed tortillas, lettuce, cheese, salsa, sour cream and lime wedges. 

Get KuKee with Hello Kitty

 This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and KuKee, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #KuKeeapp  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

It's fun having a three year old. Really fun. It's fun to converse with her, challenge her, educate her, and watch her personality unfold. From her food choices to her clothing choices, it's amazing to see what she likes versus what she doesn't like. We try to encourage as much independence as possible. As much as a three year old can have at this point in time. 

We give her choices for what she'd like to eat,what she'd like to do as well as what she'd like to wear. Well, when it comes to food, she's always been very vocal about what she would prefer. Banana, breakfast bar, and a bowl of cereal first thing in the morning. What she'd like to do? The first answer is always either the Children's Museum or the Zoo. Good thing we have year long passes to both. But as far as clothes go? It wasn't until recent that she started to develop a sense of style.

I cannot believe I'm talking about my baby's style. My baby who, it seems, I just gave birth to. But it's true, they turn into these little girls with big personalities. And these days? These days we are picking from leggings to jeans, from vest to cardigan, from boots to sneakers, and even debating over the color of the hairbow to be worn. It must match she says. Although I don't really think she has yet grasped the concept of matching. 

I like it though. I like when she decides what she wants to wear and watching her choose.  

Her favorites lately have been layers, and throwing random things together. Leggings with a skirt, shirt with a vest. A scarf to add dimension. And of course paired with her favorite pair of sunnies. Not to mention cheetah boots.

We headed off to Macy's the other day to pick up a Hello Kitty outfit of her choice. I have to say, the options were endless, which resulted in a toddler that just wanted it all. I don't blame her, I would too if they came in my size. She finally settled for the bright pink skirt and the grey jacket to pair with it. And mama over here was on cloud 9 because Macy's had a big 50% off sale, so I scored everything for half off. Deals are my thing, so if you are wanting to pick up some Hello Kitty Let's play items for your little ones---do so now, or don't forget there will be big Cyber Monday and Black Friday deals going on.

When we got home, I told Elliana that she gets to do a little scavenger hunt with her clothes. This was a foreign term to my little girl, so I had to go a little more in depth and show her exactly what I was talking about. I had downloaded the KuKee app the night before just so I would be prepared for this. I showed her how to hold the phone and then scan the little marker and her excitement was quite hilarious when the app opened up, and she saw her little face next to KuKeeeeeeeee {as she calls it}. The picture taking was pretty much what consumed the next 20 minutes of our lives.

Then, it got even better when I showed her that she could take a picture of her Hello Kitty on her jacket. We did that

Want to know how this app works? Look at the image below. There are 4 simple steps

1. Download the app on your apple or android phone.

2. Find the Hello Kitty dress up icon marker, like the one I showed you above {see that little yellow round sticker attached to the instructions? That's the marker}.

3. Aim at the marker to launch.

4. Let's Play unlocks all the fun!

5. Be sure to share with your friends by using the hashtag #mykukee

JACKET- Hello Kitty | SKIRT- Hello Kitty

Check out the KuKee pinterest board to get more great ideas.

So not only are the clothes cute, but your child gets to have a little fun with it too. It's also a great opportunity for parents to interact with their kids, and a great gift option for the holidays to come.

What are you waiting for... go get KuKee with your little girls!

You can find KuKee on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

How we #GetItDone

This is a sponsored post on behalf of One2One Network. All opinions stated are my own. 

When I was talking to Andrew the other day about my own blogging and what I do on this little space of mind, I was quickly reminded of how the internet and technology world has impacted the career force. I simply cannot think of a single job profession out there that is not influenced by technology in some sort of way. Because that's just the truth of the matter; it's all around us. And I did not start thinking about it as in depth until the conversation began.

The thing about our "jobs" is that we have many different roles in life. Aside from the typical 9-5 desk job, we continue to have responsibilities, commitments, and deadlines for ourselves outside of work. Whether that be with our family, our friends, or even our internet jobs, such as blogging, there is always an appointment to pencil in, a deadline to meet, and projects to complete. Always. That's why modern technology is important. To make us more efficient than ever before. Not like the past where our calendars hung on the fridge, our chores charts were scribbled messily on paper, and the bills were written down one by one each month to remind us of the due dates. Now we have technology to speed things along. Not to mention-make things look better.

For me, what is most important is that my husband and I are always on the same page when it comes to our schedules. And that's where technology comes into the picture. His work schedule is pretty predictable {9-5 Monday-Friday} and mine is all over the place {3 twelve hour night shifts a week}. As the years go by, our schedules only seem to get busier and I love the flexibility of filling out our committments from anywhere and anytime through Microsoft Outlook. All of our individual schedules are color coded so we know who has what and when. And my husband no longer has to call me at work to find out what my schedule is, he can login himself and have access to it and make changes to meet his own personal needs. Better yet, I love the fact that I have the ability to access Office through our iPhones {you can also access through Android, Windows phone, and Ipads}.

It is amazing where we have come as society in regards to technology. It is amazing to think that this may just be the beggining. As a result, life has become simpler, a little more organized, and lot more efficient.

For me, because of technology, I've been thinking about going down to 2 days a week at my job, and shifting my focus more to my passion behind my writing. Will this effect me financially? Sure. But the flexible schedule sounds perfect right about now.

As Andrew and I were getting ready for bed, we talked further about where blogging will take me, where I plan to go from here, and how I plan to incorporate it more into my life. I don't know all the answers, and I'm not sure I will know the answer, but for now I am grateful for the technology that we have, for an organized schedule, and for a more efficient means of communication.

Be sure to go enter the #GetItDone contest on Facebook and tell Microsoft how you #GetItDone. By doing so, you can have the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip of a lifetime. You can enter now through November 21st. 

Enter below to win a one-year subscription (US $99.99 value) of Office 365 Home Premium.

This includes: Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access. You can use one license for up to five devices on either PC or Mac. With this, you will also get 20GB of SkyDrive cloud storage, 60 free Skype world calling minutes per month, future upgrades, and automatic saves to SkyDrive so you have the ability to access your personal documents from anywhere at anytime.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rocking it out with Kleenex. Rocking the immune system that is.

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group®and Kleenex but all my opinions are my own. #KleenexAllergy #pmedia http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO. "

Every year, we are faced with the same plague that hits right around this time of season. I call it a plague, but there is also another fancy name for it...allergies. Weather changes. Climate changes. Temperature changes. And the seasonal allergies hit. It seems as though for a good solid two months we are stuck battling the sneezing and runny noses.  We do okay. We figure it out, and we sure go through a lot of Kleenex along the way, but it beats a situation where we are all out cold moping on the couch complaining about not feeling well. Let me tell you about how that goes down.

Last week, I sent a text to my husband:

"Andrew, little miss got her first real sickness. She's hacking, her nose is running, and her poor eyes look sad."

We proceeded to talk back and forth about feeling bad for her, making her some of my famous homemade chicken noodle soup, and letting her snuggle up on the couch and watch cartoons all day.

I then ended the conversation by mistakenly telling my husband:

"Good thing I don't have to worry about catching the cold from her, because my immune system rocks!" He laughed, although knowing that it is {for the most part} true, he reminded me that now I was doomed to get it. I assured him that was not a possibility. Remember, "rocking" immune system. And then I ate my words...Because apparantely, it was in the cards for me. And not only did I catch the sickness, but I was out cold for two days, off work, on the couch, and feeling like a truck ran over me. Backed up, and then ran over me again, and again, and again. My nose was stuffed, I went through a box of Kleenex, and my body ached from head to toe. And of course, as soon as I get better, my poor little baby catches it too. Which means more loving from this mama. So by day 3, my daughter and I both had it and were recovered, and my son was beginning the course of the illiness. The only person that was left unwounded was my husband, and I knew for sure that he was the last person I wanted to get sick. Because let me tell you something; when he gets sick... it's the end of the world. Why is that men are that way?

We were doing fine there by day 4-5. I truly thought that my husband was going to be spared. And then by the end of day 5, he started complaining of not feeling well, which turned into a runny nose, a new box of kleenex to be opened, and a whole lot of pouting. From all of us.

By the end of the week, we were all grateful that recovery was upon us. We were grateful that the worst thing that we had to deal with were runny noses and sore bodies. We were grateful that we got to feel better, that we had a warm bed to climb into, and that most of all, we still had each other. Although during times of sickness it's hard to think of situations that are worse, people that are suffering more than us, and illnesses that are far greater, it's important to keep those sort of things in mind. It's also what helps us to get better.

I'm reminded of how not feeling well doesn't always have to turn into something bad. That the extra snuggles from the kids {and husband}, the warm soups, the hot tea {with honey or raspberry preserve}, the piles of Kleenex on my night stand, and the amount of on-demand that is watched is good for the soul. Good to sit back and appreciate the "nothings" in life. To throw tissues on the ground. To wear the same clothes for 48 hours. To eat chocolate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And to just not care about what is going on in the outside world. Briefly.

The thing about seasonal allergies is that they always have a way to creep back up on us. So does the typical cold. It's like the two are following each other around. So we try to be more prepared when that time comes. Because a the end of the day, there just is no way to get away from the environment and the triggers of our allergies. We'll continue to sneeze. We'll continue to have runny noses. We'll continue to have watery eyes. That we know for sure. Therefore, finding a product that you can trust for your allergy needs is what is most important for us.

And if you're anything like us, where when one has a household of battling allergies and sickness, then you'll need to invest in a few boxes of Kleenexes to stock up for allergy and cold season. Better yet, grab this coupon to use at Target and you can get a free wallet pack or pocket pack when you buy a 4 pack { Buy Kleenex 4pack, get free wallet pack (2-pk) or pocket pack (3-pk): http://goo.gl/186og3 } *while supplies last

Now, I'm off to go sanitize the whole house. I'm determined to keep this immune system rocking.