tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15512650403166586802024-03-13T08:57:09.323-07:00Hot Cookin' MamaTAKIN' THE HEAT & STAYIN' IN THE KITCHENHot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-42312436994472781202022-05-15T08:37:00.002-07:002022-05-15T08:37:54.473-07:00Sweet Pork Street Tacos<p><br /></p><p> Ingredients-
</p><p>Sweet pork:</p><p>Pork shoulder-S</p><p>Salt & pepper2</p><p>2T chili powder</p><p>1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
</p><p>1 cup brown sugar
</p><p>Tortillas:
</p><p>Street taco white corn tortillas
</p><p>Pork juice from the crock pot
</p><p>Hot pan (like a cast iron pan)
</p><p>Oil (just enough to brush on the pan)
</p><p>Salsa:
</p><p>1 jar Green salsa verde
</p><p>1/2 cup sugar
</p><p>3 cloves garlic
</p><p>1 T red pepper flakes
</p><p>1/4 cup cilantro (optional)
</p><p>Directions-
</p><p>Sweet pork:
</p><p>Place pork in crock pot
</p><p>Rub with chili pepper, salt & pepper
</p><p>Cook on low 6-8 hours until easily pulls apart
</p><p>Shred pork as finely as you can (the smaller shreds the better!!)
</p><p>Lay out evenly on a baking sheet
</p><p>Set oven to broil
</p><p>In a sauce pan, melt butter
</p><p>Add brown sugar and stir continuously until butter is no longer separated from the sugar and small bubbles are starting to form
</p><p>Pour brown sugar/butter mixture over the pork and toss together
</p><p>Set pan of pork in the oven and let the brown sugar caramelize. Pork will turn a brown color and has a caramelized "crystal" coating. Don't panic and take them out to early. Give them time but keep checking on them. Pork will not be "wet" but not dry either. I don't know how.
</p><p>Tortillas:
</p><p>Heat a pan on the stove and get it nice and hot
</p><p>Brush with just a bit of oil
</p><p>Dip a tortilla into the juice that's sitting in the crock pot
</p><p>Place on hot pan. You don't need to leave it on very long! Just hold it there with some tongs and flip it over to heat the other side until both sides are less "wet" from the juice and have a bit of golden specs to them
</p><p>Salsa:
</p><p>Just toss all the ingredients in a blender and voila! Do not skip putting this salsa on the taco. Trust the process.
</p><p><br /></p><p>
</p><p>
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</p>Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-91995870955783621182019-07-29T17:00:00.001-07:002019-07-29T17:00:38.134-07:00Homemade Dinner Rolls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while since I've documented a new recipe. I've been looking for some new go-to dinner rolls! These were actually really easy and very straight forward. The recipe looked huge so I halved it with no problem and ended up with exactly one sheet pan full. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nuUHmO-8tsFiBSIror2Vr2cGqhkbT943g1eDN8gZil2Ds4CQctxU5MyTFH_c0SXQFMaQxyOSv4DFoOQpGJKkaj9GIFvhr2rpk5BpzK3uZohOeBjIS3bTJ7TwWB8YQPhYXkCTKWHxCaYP/s1600/IMG_20190729_170912442-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nuUHmO-8tsFiBSIror2Vr2cGqhkbT943g1eDN8gZil2Ds4CQctxU5MyTFH_c0SXQFMaQxyOSv4DFoOQpGJKkaj9GIFvhr2rpk5BpzK3uZohOeBjIS3bTJ7TwWB8YQPhYXkCTKWHxCaYP/s640/IMG_20190729_170912442-02.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ingredients:<br />
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<ul>
<li>4 c warm water (I try to aim for around 110*)</li>
<li>3 T yeast ( I used Fleischmans active dry)</li>
<li>1/2 c sugar</li>
<li>1/4 c oil</li>
<li>1 T salt</li>
<li>10 c flour</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Add warm water and yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer, let sit until it's nice and foamy</li>
<li>Add in the sugar and mix</li>
<li>Add in the oil and salt, mix</li>
<li>Add in the flour a cup at a time, mixing after each</li>
<li>Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl and let rise until double in size (about 30 minutes)</li>
<li>Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and section off into balls you can mold into rolls</li>
<li>Place the rolls into a sheet pan and cover, let rise until doubled again (another 30 minutes or so)</li>
<li>Preheat oven to 350*</li>
<li>Cook rolls for 12-15 minutes and immediately roll butter over the tops when they come out of the oven</li>
</ul>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00526608416502169243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-67461833335418662622018-08-29T17:28:00.001-07:002018-08-29T18:01:37.057-07:00Roasted Vegetable Soup <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is absolutely perfect for Fall! My girls and I created our own holiday years ago. It's on October 1st and we make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, decorate the house for Halloween with Halloween music, go shopping for Halloween costumes, have soup for dinner and watch a Halloween movie with hot chocolate. Since we're in Idaho we get all 4 seasons and it is GORGEOUS here! We soak it up like you would not believe. The girls get more excited for this holiday than Christmas. It's absolutely hilarious.<br />
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Anyways, this soup just might be a strong possibility for soup of choice on our holiday! That's saying something, because they take it seriously and everything has to be perfect.<br />
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The original recipe doesn't call for tortellini pasta, but my kids have bottomless stomachs so I threw in a little more substance.<br />
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<a href="https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/roasted-vegetable-soup-5365856">Recipe adapted from: Roasted Vegetable Soup- Pioneer Woman</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQTOkULzP2ufa_w02HGE1iqbNVe7K-cV_70-M8NsB8Rp-Bm8rIdkAExsG9_DLkzp97SD8SJWZl9G_d-KB8LsMAAANjBOrBJv8cc3cFG0P3jcyLnCIKu3mjvQdB35LUsTHJ2jI53fo3F83/s1600/Roasted+Vegetable+Soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1600" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQTOkULzP2ufa_w02HGE1iqbNVe7K-cV_70-M8NsB8Rp-Bm8rIdkAExsG9_DLkzp97SD8SJWZl9G_d-KB8LsMAAANjBOrBJv8cc3cFG0P3jcyLnCIKu3mjvQdB35LUsTHJ2jI53fo3F83/s640/Roasted+Vegetable+Soup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What you will need:</div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1 large zucchini, sliced in half and then cut in half moons</li>
<li>1 yellow squash, sliced in half and then cut in half moons</li>
<li>1 yellow onion, sliced</li>
<li>1 red and yellow Bell pepper, cut in strips</li>
<li>3 garlic cloves, minced</li>
<li>1/4 c Olive oil</li>
<li>1 T Italian seasoning</li>
<li>1/2 T salt</li>
<li>1/2 T pepper</li>
<li>4 c chicken stock (or vegetable stock)</li>
<li>14 oz can stewed tomatoes</li>
<li>1 Bay leaf</li>
<li>1 c heavy cream</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Preheat oven to 475*</li>
<li>Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray</li>
<li>Combine all veggies into a large bowl with olive oil and seasonings to toss to chat</li>
<li>Arrange vegetables on baking sheet in an even layer and roast for 15 minutes</li>
<li>Add vegetables into crock pot with stewed tomatoes, chicken stock, heavy cream and Bay leaf</li>
<li>Cook on low for 3 hours</li>
<li>Remove Bay leaf and blend soup until it's reached desired texture</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-21674361816153784482018-08-10T10:25:00.000-07:002018-08-10T10:29:33.014-07:0012 Mommy Daughter Dates<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last year I was trying to think of a good gift for my girls for Christmas. They really love quality time so when I found Shopkins Live tickets for a few months later I thought it would be awesome! A few months prior, though, I'd taken them each on a fun Mommy Daughter date to soak in the time together before their baby sister made her arrival. We had SO MUCH FUN and they talked about it for weeks. So I came up with giving them a years worth of Mommy Daughter Dates!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JIKvRzPzwKOob5OC1bL6iON6iiQF5Wq59fZMDoGScfS8lX1gjZUSXxYbi3ntBA0zg1yv_XgEm6jshTvN10SA941CXScnAjGTwdwpLIjEshAL00BWREHgmJmurI5Rk7N8hjm6F6-xK-Pp/s1600/IMG_20180810_100236322-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="1600" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JIKvRzPzwKOob5OC1bL6iON6iiQF5Wq59fZMDoGScfS8lX1gjZUSXxYbi3ntBA0zg1yv_XgEm6jshTvN10SA941CXScnAjGTwdwpLIjEshAL00BWREHgmJmurI5Rk7N8hjm6F6-xK-Pp/s640/IMG_20180810_100236322-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This picture should really start with a January envelope, but...I didn't take one of them before I gave them to my girls so...<br />
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I really loved the idea of giving this to them at Christmas time, because after you've done all your Christmas activities, Santa shopping, regular shopping and funding all the goodies, it feels like your money is in your hands for approximately 2 seconds before it's flying away again! I didn't have to pay for all of these dates up front! HA!<br />
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My goal was to spend around $10 on each date, but many of them are free. The real goal was to just spend time together one on one. I learned very fast that they didn't mind that at all! They didn't think about not "getting things" because they were just thrilled as heck to be hanging out with me (something that won't be usual in just a few short years). Since they each got a date every month, that put it to around $20 a month, which I felt was highly worth it, but you can customize however you want!<br />
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I kept the Shopkins Live idea for Febuary and decided to do a combined Girls Night Out twice in the year where we all do something together as girls. They just opened their 2nd Girls Night Out date which was our date for August.<br />
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As far as putting these together, it's incredibly simple! I found some fun multi-colored envelopes at Walmart...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR-DxM6HgxPgJURLTBDBqA0HZdADSpW754KMH0e96dkSYPgzQtTWkhKbIKXGzJDR6hW9CjCS1lUEEsvIGtfN9J3yH0p7TYv8w948EhSDUialcPNq6g1kRKSi7uEBsvw7ghKStVC-TyTx7/s1600/IMG_20180810_100313265-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="1600" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirR-DxM6HgxPgJURLTBDBqA0HZdADSpW754KMH0e96dkSYPgzQtTWkhKbIKXGzJDR6hW9CjCS1lUEEsvIGtfN9J3yH0p7TYv8w948EhSDUialcPNq6g1kRKSi7uEBsvw7ghKStVC-TyTx7/s640/IMG_20180810_100313265-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I designed each date on the computer to print off on cardstock to stick in the envelopes. You can honestly just chop papers up into squares and write the dates with a Sharpie if you want! The effect will be the same. They open theirs on the Sunday before a new month starts and we plan when we'll do it. They usually get excited and want it right at the first of the month. But for things like this one in September, it's best to wait until the end of the month!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbiu2o1oP9SXZaPGh3HZ4Y2tudWRYpajZ6bR7oEjjE4qqTe_uFvcLhKXmJk8X1A1p815XtJpNxxamKkUm5LjWye43Uj3VAZd5BVhAZHcPUkEt359QAdD-iqBzVQWIMQqjUdw6UqS9QfF-/s1600/IMG_20180810_100347406-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbiu2o1oP9SXZaPGh3HZ4Y2tudWRYpajZ6bR7oEjjE4qqTe_uFvcLhKXmJk8X1A1p815XtJpNxxamKkUm5LjWye43Uj3VAZd5BVhAZHcPUkEt359QAdD-iqBzVQWIMQqjUdw6UqS9QfF-/s640/IMG_20180810_100347406-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the list of dates I made for the year. A lot of the dates I did the same each month for both girls. But sometimes I'd use the same date idea, but put them in different months for them because their personalities called for it. And some are different for each girl that month because the other girl wouldn't be interested in the other date. Does that make sense?<br />
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Basically, just look at your months and what your girls like to do during those months and what they like to do in general and just go for it. Things like Starbucks I wouldn't put in the dead of summer and I wouldn't take one of my girls to Bath & Body Works because she doesn't care for it like the other does. They both like Great Harvest but one would love it in the winter more.<br />
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<b>$10 at Deseret Book +</b><br />
<b>Pick out Florences Chocolates</b><br />
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<b>Girls Night Out!: Shopkins Live!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Movie Night </b><br />
<b>(Kick the family out for an at-home movie night with treats or go out to the theatre with a few treats smuggled it heh-heh..)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Lunch at Great Harvest</b><br />
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<b>$10 to Claires+</b><br />
<b>Cookie Place</b><br />
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<b>$10 to Bath and Body Works</b><br />
<b>(Try on all the fun scrubs and lotions!)</b><br />
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<b>$10 to Ulta</b><br />
<b>(Try on all the fun makeup!)</b><br />
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<b>$10 to Hobby Lobby +</b><br />
<b>Lemonade</b><br />
<b>(We love Chick-fil-A lemonade and use our app to get it curbside! Not gonna lie we also ordered a chocolate chunk cookie)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Prepared Pantry & Baking the goods we picked out</b><br />
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<b>Soda Tsunami</b><br />
<b>(Or any fun soda shop)</b><br />
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<b>Scooter date!</b><br />
<b>(We scootered to our local Icy shack but you can go anywhere!)</b><br />
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<b>Girls Night Out!: Dress up and go out to dinner with an at-home spa night afterwards</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Fall bike ride & picnic</b><br />
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<b>Starbucks date & Christmas Shopping</b><br />
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<b>$10 to Barnes & Noble</b></div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-55874700869391865382018-08-10T09:47:00.001-07:002018-08-10T09:49:11.004-07:00Turkey Meatballs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32oHiqFN8vAxCwj1BPV-Zr2YGB95EJS0SBmgpiTUdhz-3oaM7St66T-wCFUA0Ikcjge80lcy0I7mBGiRvElZzvrNa9SjfR7V0JqbXGCjP55i2hesApgmrwSp6U0vFYO59g4FlU0s5hIoe/s1600/Turkey+Meatballs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="1600" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32oHiqFN8vAxCwj1BPV-Zr2YGB95EJS0SBmgpiTUdhz-3oaM7St66T-wCFUA0Ikcjge80lcy0I7mBGiRvElZzvrNa9SjfR7V0JqbXGCjP55i2hesApgmrwSp6U0vFYO59g4FlU0s5hIoe/s640/Turkey+Meatballs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We usually make these meatballs to add to minestrone soup, but they are so good you can use them for anything! They're extremely flavorful and the texture is unreal! Very easy to make, too. Just pulse, shape and cook! If you're looking for a gluten-free option, dredging each meatball in flour isn't absolutely necessary (we've done it without and they've turned out just great!).<br />
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<b>What you will need:</b><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1 lb. ground turkey</li>
<li>1 oz. parmesan</li>
<li>1/4 C parsley</li>
<li>1 yellow onion diced</li>
<li>2 cloves garlic, diced</li>
<li>1 egg</li>
<li>2 T oil</li>
<li>Flour for dredging</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Directions:</b></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><br /></li>
<li>Combine parmesan, parsley, diced onion and diced garlic to food processor.</li>
<li>Add ground turkey, egg and salt & pepper to combine</li>
<li>Shape into 1" meatballs</li>
<li>In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat</li>
<li>Coat each meatball in the flour and add to the oil in the skillet</li>
<li>Cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning to brown all sides</li>
</ul>
</div>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-21844874462993362432018-08-05T13:50:00.001-07:002018-08-10T09:47:49.236-07:00Caramel Sauce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw6oMfQun8yLNoUZFdptXStGtyWWkalOkpcWQjQiiCL8IO0I9XKXy6JeMmG8NTJc3lCCE7A6PvL9jZu2DxGOlWMZ5-lp7qtxyAdYluHqdPvstvXhCLKCC-n9D7Os26zkhloS1Te57p7zu/s1600/IMG_20180805_143214679-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1379" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw6oMfQun8yLNoUZFdptXStGtyWWkalOkpcWQjQiiCL8IO0I9XKXy6JeMmG8NTJc3lCCE7A6PvL9jZu2DxGOlWMZ5-lp7qtxyAdYluHqdPvstvXhCLKCC-n9D7Os26zkhloS1Te57p7zu/s640/IMG_20180805_143214679-02.jpeg" width="550" /></a></div>
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This caramel sauce is perfect! For ice cream, for dipping, pretzels, whatever! It sets up really nice and reheats to a beautiful drizzle. Just 3 ingredients and about five minutes tops to make!<br />
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What you will need:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1 stick (1/2 c) butter</li>
<li>1/2 c brown sugar</li>
<li>1/3 c heavy cream</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Melt the butter</li>
<li>Whisk in brown sugar and heavy cream</li>
<li>Bring to a boil and boil for exactly 3 minutes</li>
<li>Remove from heat and allow to cool at room temperature (I dropped a little vanilla in at this point, too)</li>
<li>Store in the fridge and microwave for 60 seconds if you want it back to being drizzly</li>
</ul>
</div>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-78921310228647188972018-07-31T19:42:00.001-07:002018-07-31T19:42:30.254-07:00Spatchcock Chicken and Veggies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudJdg52GrMiiCNc3jvxF6-hrS1Un2gtoIx1uFQOFqvU6rXucA-etpNVA4THTbf_-_PaZqVhSVOZA1LHjzZltW7UqJedukdXGGERt-jQojM0f5U2fsIrbqdyCQGFhNaQ-fJpsHD7PagmP4/s1600/Spatchcock+Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudJdg52GrMiiCNc3jvxF6-hrS1Un2gtoIx1uFQOFqvU6rXucA-etpNVA4THTbf_-_PaZqVhSVOZA1LHjzZltW7UqJedukdXGGERt-jQojM0f5U2fsIrbqdyCQGFhNaQ-fJpsHD7PagmP4/s320/Spatchcock+Chicken.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
This recipe is something we do SO OFTEN. It's simple and all the kids love it. Not to mention, it gives you a ton left to save and make some chicken broth with. We have made this several different ways over time, but this is our favorite! You want a nice crispy skin with a juicy and tender chicken. Enjoy!<br />
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<b>What you will need:</b><br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1 whole chicken</li>
<li>4 T olive oil (divided)</li>
<li>Any seasonings you like</li>
<li>Veggies if you like</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Directions:</b></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Prepare your oven by placing the rack in the center and preheating the oven to 475*</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Prepare your pan by using a baking sheet that's been sprayed with cooking spray and drizzled with a couple tablespoons of olive oil</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rinse your chicken and pat it dry on a towel covered cutting board</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Reach inside the neck and remove any giblets and bits there may be in there.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Lay the chicken breast side down and find the backbone</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cut alone both sides of the backbone with some kitchen scissors</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Flip the chicken back over and lay it breast side up on the prepared baking sheet</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Press down firmly on the middle of the chicken and the breastbone will break, allowing the chicken to lay more flat on the pan</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rub with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Cook chicken at 475* for 30 minutes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Decrease temperature to 400*. If potatoes are part of your preferred veggies, add them to the pan at this point. Cook for another 25 minutes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">If you have any other veggies, at them to the pan at this point and cook for another ten minutes, or until center of the chicken breast has reached at least 160*</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-76923625236558676162018-07-25T19:30:00.000-07:002018-07-25T19:30:03.407-07:00French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
1. This was very cost effective<br />
2. This was extremely easy<br />
3. Every single person in my family ate and loved all of this<br />
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There really isn't much "gourmet" about this. It's kind of a dump recipe. Somehow it made incredible results with amazing flavor. With how easy and cheap it was (aside from the meat..heh heh..) and the fact that no one could stop eating it, it's going back on the menu often.<br />
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Definitely fill your sandwiches more than I filled this one :). 4 kids and 4 dogs running around ya know, I was not being incredibly attentive here haha!</div>
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<br />
What you will need:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>2 cans french onion soup</li>
<li>1 can beef consmme (you can just use beef broth like me)</li>
<li>2-2 1/2 lbs. chuck roast</li>
<li>Provolone cheese slices</li>
<li>Salt & pepper to taste</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Sear the outsides of your meat (you can cut it into chunks to sear and cook it)</li>
<li>Pour cans of soup and consomme (or broth) into crock pot.</li>
<li>Add the meat into the crock pot</li>
<li>Cook on high for 6 hours</li>
<li>Shred the meat and set aside</li>
<li>Slice your preferred sandwich bread in half and place on a cookie sheet.</li>
<li>Spread softened butter on each of the slice</li>
<li>Pre-toast the bread at 400* for about 4 minutes. You don't need it darkened, but when you touch it, it's rough and a bit crispy</li>
<li>While your bread is pre-toasting, place a strainer over a bowl and pour the broth into the strainer. It will catch all the extras, allowing just the jus to pass through into the bowl</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>Pull out your pre-toasted bread and add the shredded meat and provolone cheese to the bottom slices</li>
<li>Put them back into the oven until the cheese is nice and melted</li>
<li>Serve with the au jus !</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-70753257628669105212018-07-09T20:28:00.000-07:002018-07-09T20:28:35.728-07:00Rock Fish Taco & Not Gross Slaw<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I guess one cool thing about having a recipe blog as my "job" is that I get to decide when I do it. So, here I am months and months after my last post (which wasn't even a recipe). We were blessed with our 4th child at the end of August and I decided to focus on that! Things have settled and I am good to go now. Wahoo!<br />
<br />
My father in law took a fishing trip to Alaska and caught some amaaazing Rock fish. He had it filleted there and fresh frozen to bring back for us! Ooooh it was a beauty. Since it's more a mild fish, we were trying to think of what to do with it and how to season it. We decided we'd take the fish taco route. We were SHOCKED at the amazing flavor the fish had on its own! Somehow the seasonings were paired really well with it to where you could taste the seasoning and the fish both separately while having the flavors compliment each other as well.<br />
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Now, about the slaw. My husband and I are not slaw people. We can't even figure out how there are so many people who are. It makes zero sense to us. But, we couldn't just not have slaw with it. It's a fish taco. So this is a slaw that works without being the gross slaw ;). I actually just drizzled the dressing made for the slaw on my taco by itself without the slaw at all. My husband did both. We taste tested the dressing for the slaw and it was really good, but we were a little baffled that there was no garlic in it. "Should we add garlic? We never skip garlic. Should we? It's good without it....but we love garlic so much. Yes? No?" We didn't add any! Who are we?! It just had this magic flavor that seemed so <i>right</i> with a fish taco, we left it as is.<br />
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So, here's the deal. My husband knows a guy named George. He's our food guy. Everyone should have a food guy. He recommended Sazon Goya seasoning, claiming that, "if you don't want to spend the money on saffron, but want incredible taste, go with Sazon Goya." Yes, sir. Correct, sir.<br />
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(For the record, with the going price of a lb. of saffron being anywhere from $500-$5000, I don't buy saffron. I have tried it exactly one time at a brunch at The Grand America and I didn't like it. So I was nervous at his recommendation for this in place of saffron. Like I said, though, he was correct. Trust the process.)<br />
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<b>What you will need:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Fish-</b><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Rock Fish fillets (I mean, if you don't have Rock Fish freshly caught in Alaska...cod will do ;) )</li>
<li>1 packet Sazon Goya seasoning</li>
<li>1 tsp. salt</li>
<li>1 tsp. pepper</li>
<li>1 T oil </li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Slaw-</b></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Green cabbage, julienne</li>
<li>Red onion, sliced</li>
<li>Cilantro, chopped</li>
<li>jalapeno, diced</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Dressing for the slaw-</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1/2 C salsa verde</li>
<li>1/4 C mayo</li>
<li>1 T lime</li>
<li>Hot sauce to taste</li>
<li>Salt & Pepper to taste</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Directions:</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Fish-</b></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Bring a large saute pan to medium-high heat and add the T of oil</li>
<li>Rinse your fillets and pat dry</li>
<li>Rub Sazon Goya and salt/pepper on each side of the fillets</li>
<li>Lay each fillet in the pan and cook each side 2-3 minutes</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Slaw-</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Slice, chop and dice ingredients and add to a bowl.</li>
<li>I don't have any measurements, just go with "some of each" and see where it gets you. Live on the edge.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Dressing for the slaw-</b></div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Add each ingredient into a blender and blend until it's all mixed until smooth and saucy.</li>
<li>Pour the dressing over the slaw and mix well</li>
<li>Maybe reserve some on its own in case you just want to drizzle the goodness by itself. Like me. Be like me.</li>
</ul>
</div>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-78693144827930504002017-11-23T07:48:00.001-08:002017-11-23T07:51:47.658-08:00Tea Tree Shampoo Review<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
I was able to try this product for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.</div>
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As the product says, this is a Tea Tree shampoo aiming to clear away dead skin, soothe scalp blemishes, promote hair growth, slow hair loss and potentially eradicate lice.</div>
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I was pretty excited to try this out as tea tree oil is known for being an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiviral. <a href="https://www.mapleholistics.com/">The Maple Holistics</a> company actually reached out to me right after I had my fourth baby, and as predicted, I had left the hospital looking like an alligator. I have no idea why, but every time I have had a baby, I am so dry and flakey it's unreal!</div>
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My scalp was no exception and the skin near my hairline was especially bad. I gave the shampoo a try not really expecting much. The directions say to leave it in for 1-2 minutes before rinsing and then reapplying for another 1-2 minutes and rinsing again. I followed directions exactly and carried on for a few days.</div>
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After day 3 I already noticed there was a difference in my dryness. Not just on my scalp but my face and stomach (yes, my stomach was falling apart, too) as well. I realized that as I was rinsing the shampoo, it was making contact with other areas of my body and apparently treating those areas, too! I could say my body had just decided to moisturize and treat itself after two weeks of look like a monster (I am not kidding when I say that little flurries of skin would fly off my body constantly. Especially if I had taken off my shirt or something if the like), but three days of contact with this shampoo seemed to be a likely explanation. </div>
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I got so excited about this I started using it for other things. There was one day I suspected a yeast infection so I drew myself a bubble bath and used the shampoo as the bubble solution. The very next day all my symptoms were gone. Obviously I am not a doctor or any kind of professional, so as always, check with your doctor before trying this out. I, myself have always used the proper medicine for treating a yeast infection so the fact that I both tried this and witnessed it help was not what I was expecting! I will be purchasing some Tea Tree Oil now!</div>
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The negative about having used it so much, is that when I noticed my daughters intense dandruff and told her to use the shampoo, there was not enough left in the bottle to give it a real try. I had used it too much and it was basically gone by that point. Whoops. At <span class="m_7872630904298563389money">$25</span> for an 8 once bottle, I had hoped for a little more product, however the average person is not going to be using it the way I did, so take that info the way you will. </div>
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My husband really enjoyed this shampoo as well. He especially loved the scent (Tea Tree).</div>
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There is one thing I didn't particularly love about it, though. It does not lather like a typical shampoo, making it a little difficult to massage into your hair and scalp. I really missed that familiar feel getting my fingers between the stands of my hair and easily massaging my head with zero effort. It might be lame complaint, but that's just my experience and honest thoughts. </div>
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All in all, we really liked this product and both my husband and I have agreed that it's something we will continue to buy and use. You can <a href="https://www.mapleholistics.com/products/hair-care/shampoo/natural-tea-tree-oil-shampoo/">click here</a> to find this product and click here to check out their <a href="https://www.mapleholistics.com/free-sample/">FREE SAMPLES</a> program! It's a no brainer you guys. Seriously! The program comes with the potential to receive a full sized product as well.</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-5195562987905703332017-08-22T15:07:00.001-07:002017-08-22T15:18:25.242-07:00Everything you Need to Know about a C-section: PART 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
So, you're having a C-section! If you are fortunate enough to have a planned C-section instead of <a href="http://hotcookinmama1.blogspot.com/2017/08/everything-you-need-to-know-about-c.html">"the bomb"</a> dropped on you in the middle of labor, that means you will have some time to prepare adequately. Much of these things will be the same bits of advice for a natural birth as well!<br />
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One of the very first things you can do is think about food. You weren't expecting me to say that, were you?<br />
<br />
Total recovery time for a C-section is around 6 weeks. For much (or all) of that time, you will be treating your body and feeling the major surgery you've been through. You won't be walking normal, you won't be sitting normal, a simple shower might as well be the devil. Standing? Bending? Hardly. Stressing about dinner for your family? Let's try and make it so you can forget about that one entirely!<br />
<br />
I am a part of a group of women that sign up to bring in a dinner each night for a while after you are home from giving birth. For my last baby, I simply asked if they could bring me freezer meals beforehand since I wasn't even totally sure I could make it to the door during recovery. It was hands down one of my most favorite things I decided to do for myself!<br />
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This time around, I asked 2 months in advance for anyone who would want to bring in a freezer meal before my scheduled C-section. I think I ended up with around 15 or so! So I put together a dinner menu for a few weeks where I was able to include some freezer meals each week. Leftovers and simple sandwiches/chips were on there as well to fill in the gaps and I was able to stretch these meals out for a long time!<br />
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I put the weeks dinner menu together with that weeks grocery list (including things needed for breakfasts, snacks and lunches as well) so neither my husband or I need to spend a second even thinking about it. My husband can just grab the list and go. Between he and my mom they can look at the menu and know what meal to pull out of the freezer to start thawing and what meal goes into the crock pot or the oven. I get to just lie there. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9v6fwbh1zDeq6xcC6ajR0wxs9gaG2CyuoiOxcehgGr4zH87q8P8oc0ZmGwABuQR7RXReRGeipuldPMx3Awe36PfyFqctl8f-L2nWY6Mnlzg2Z2n2h4Aw-94FwRLu5tg8Wm4msQ_XxDwQ/s1600/Dinner+%2526+Groceries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1008" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9v6fwbh1zDeq6xcC6ajR0wxs9gaG2CyuoiOxcehgGr4zH87q8P8oc0ZmGwABuQR7RXReRGeipuldPMx3Awe36PfyFqctl8f-L2nWY6Mnlzg2Z2n2h4Aw-94FwRLu5tg8Wm4msQ_XxDwQ/s640/Dinner+%2526+Groceries.jpg" width="402" /></a></div>
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Now that the meals are all set up and taken care of, there's a few things around the house to think about. Let's start things off with a room-to-room bag. This little bag will carry things you use frequently, but don't want to have to get off the couch for after you've just sat down to go and grab. Instead, any time you go from room to room, you take this bag with you. It can have anything you want in it really!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Yd6IgeywykGzljCjNUOIg2s6RMobNhdnFb_WALfJfjL6jsedRVu8_Cw4VtXte4VjrjRpwICgR3o0Mbm1Mg02eA_RVIy9GBBnv-jDa4m40tWgPOAP0WbJb_tgeC4R0fIf6e5_ckA0aJ_J/s1600/IMG_20170822_125238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Yd6IgeywykGzljCjNUOIg2s6RMobNhdnFb_WALfJfjL6jsedRVu8_Cw4VtXte4VjrjRpwICgR3o0Mbm1Mg02eA_RVIy9GBBnv-jDa4m40tWgPOAP0WbJb_tgeC4R0fIf6e5_ckA0aJ_J/s640/IMG_20170822_125238.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0011EB814/ref=sxr_rr_xsim_1_s_it?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3008523062&pd_rd_wg=Cyl1C&pf_rd_r=4G9AEKDJ60JQVE39Y26Q&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B0011EB814&pd_rd_w=uzahl&pf_rd_i=medela+nipple+cream&pd_rd_r=7WHGC6XNCMKJ5CS1JSD1&ie=UTF8&qid=1503436353&sr=1">Medela nipple cream</a><br />
-Nursing cover<br />
-Disposable nursing pads<br />
-hair ties and bobby pins<br />
-Stool softener and any prescriptions I will be on, especially for pain<br />
-Extra phone charger<br />
-Phone<br />
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Now, onto the next prep! One of the biggest things you deal with after <i>any </i>birth is the post partum bleeding. So, since you'll be spending some time in the bathroom, let's talk about how to get things prepped in there to deal with all of that while you are struggling to move!<br />
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First of all, storing your pads or anything else you will want to use in a drawer or a cupboard below the sink is a terrible idea. I have this basket of necessities sitting on the back of the toilet right now, but it will be moved to the counter right next to the toilet. Twisting your body around or bending in these conditions will not go well for you! One thing that is missing in this basket because I have not actually gone to the hospital yet is a peri bottle. So, what <i>is</i> in this basket?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-AdCupd-aqqupL36ALBtQtCrUJadzaFQSvuoB0r1Mfp0hmzZmuy3mURuitnfeupzw38SVfRkt0zlX09UJOiz-r0V3Hv5vUx3dozGCuvjMNwYSfAaQLkineZlKYx2TKbRjE8nmRQ_IYmy/s1600/Bathroom+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-AdCupd-aqqupL36ALBtQtCrUJadzaFQSvuoB0r1Mfp0hmzZmuy3mURuitnfeupzw38SVfRkt0zlX09UJOiz-r0V3Hv5vUx3dozGCuvjMNwYSfAaQLkineZlKYx2TKbRjE8nmRQ_IYmy/s640/Bathroom+Station.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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-Pads. Nice big and fat pads.<br />
- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/bamboobies-Washable-Leak-Proof-Breastfeeding-Overnight/dp/B01LXD0GFO/ref=sr_1_2?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1503438316&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=bamboobies+nursing+pads&psc=1">Bamboobies Nursing pad</a>s -I have both disposable and washable and I decided to keep some washable ones in the bathroom. I plan to use the cozy ones at night and I will most likely be doing my "getting ready for bed" stuff in the bathroom so to have them right there will be ideal.<br />
-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Stall-Mates-60-Wipe-Home-Pack/dp/B07142N77W/ref=pd_sim_201_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07142N77W&pd_rd_r=M7RPX2BN8FW2ZJBD5YJ9&pd_rd_w=DLcOs&pd_rd_wg=FLI5T&psc=1&refRID=M7RPX2BN8FW2ZJBD5YJ9">Stall Mates Wipes</a>- I wanted unscented and flushable. These ones are alcohol, paraben and fragrance free. I don't have a bidet, and as much as I looove cleaning up a bowel movement, like I said, it's dang difficult to be twisting your body around. Any kind of reaching during clean up will be hard, so I wanted to make sure that it would go as quickly and smoothly as possible. The wipes make it so I can clean up easily and effectively.<br />
-Peri bottle- The peri bottle is the same! It makes clean up easier with your movements and when you're bleeding so much it's nice to have that extra help.<br />
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Something I will also have in the bathroom are these!<br />
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They give you some mesh underwear to put on in the hospital and they are so stretchy and forgiving, especially with a bunch of C-section bandages. They are definitely not made to be worn multiple times, though, and the quality of them isn't super great for underneath clothes (they poke out in weird places and make you look a little funny). So, I found these ones online that are a better quality, just as stretchy and forgiving and washable!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ4w30dT-HH6IKwKryUh5ebGk_gnpFGn_MTIdJio7l5n2ZwE8vlzdNYN_sWAc7fdfTRq7eyqEER11R4jAC4vwtUDS2c7uKrlIJE1QBLZXH48n7VwvCBwQdiJnTFz4dd3aOgZhq2iIYsPE/s1600/IMG_20170821_164355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ4w30dT-HH6IKwKryUh5ebGk_gnpFGn_MTIdJio7l5n2ZwE8vlzdNYN_sWAc7fdfTRq7eyqEER11R4jAC4vwtUDS2c7uKrlIJE1QBLZXH48n7VwvCBwQdiJnTFz4dd3aOgZhq2iIYsPE/s640/IMG_20170821_164355.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.figure8maternity.com/item/1974200/molly-high-waist-seamless-mesh-disposable-delivery-panty-6-pk-white-6-pack"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.figure8maternity.com/item/1974200/molly-high-waist-seamless-mesh-disposable-delivery-panty-6-pk-white-6-pack">-Figure 8 Maternity Seemless mesh panty's</a><br />
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Okay! Let's move on to the bedroom. With my kids being a bit older and running around, I've set up my pumping station in my bedroom.<br />
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I just grabbed this old reclining rocking chair that fit to the side of my bed and the white stand is from my daughters bathroom that she wasn't using. It's all facing the TV and I've got my pump on the top with......<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp6dWbaXfZQWkDMIUFw9b9lTzSTPs9QZlMS1C9dbC74ROnGcvrUU1GQOsED9U70Jz92JpDNmnMTchxLab_5LDJ85fruCJHax5ubt07kO3TgbO8uUfIvJpgisgoUpr-_tPBx6MhrTtU-ar/s1600/Pumping+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDp6dWbaXfZQWkDMIUFw9b9lTzSTPs9QZlMS1C9dbC74ROnGcvrUU1GQOsED9U70Jz92JpDNmnMTchxLab_5LDJ85fruCJHax5ubt07kO3TgbO8uUfIvJpgisgoUpr-_tPBx6MhrTtU-ar/s640/Pumping+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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-Nursing cover. I hate the sight of pumping so I cover myself up! It's so dang awkward to watch yourself turn into a cow (for me personally) so I just hide those babies and zone out!<br />
-A few bottles for the pump<br />
- <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Medela-Quick-Clean-Breast-Accessory/dp/B005MQW60O/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1503436671&sr=1-1&keywords=medela+pump+wipes">Medela Quick Clean Pump Wipes</a>- Because I won't have the time to actually clean this stuff properly after every single time right at that exact moment.<br />
-Disposable nursing pads<br />
-Luna Bars- Eating one after each pump!<br />
-Sneaky chocolate- I'll be eating one of these after each pump, too. And probably any time I'm up late rocking the baby.<br />
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Now, on to the other side of the pumping station. My night stand! I will spend a lot of time in this area. Between the pumping and the rocking baby to sleep or just sleeping in general on my bed, this is where it's all at, really. If I'm on my bed and need something for the baby, it's here. If I'm on the rocking chair and need something for the baby or something to watch after the baby has fallen asleep and it's late at night, I've got my ipad within reach for some Netflix. So here's the details.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX9AuQwKkZ_i7zvUS11pziFSUK2YuYhTQTG_7A8HN5pPh9bdsToJ-vaZC3sHJn1u6DKHtVxWYgeDYniD9AMytB7wNEv3bcVzrSAya2W2WMKWoYYj-O4s9HxjtTR-oaxc7TI8K5yxpnVs7/s1600/IMG_20170821_164048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX9AuQwKkZ_i7zvUS11pziFSUK2YuYhTQTG_7A8HN5pPh9bdsToJ-vaZC3sHJn1u6DKHtVxWYgeDYniD9AMytB7wNEv3bcVzrSAya2W2WMKWoYYj-O4s9HxjtTR-oaxc7TI8K5yxpnVs7/s640/IMG_20170821_164048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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-Swaddle blanket<br />
-Diapers<br />
-wipes<br />
-Burp cloths<br />
-Binky<br />
-Extra baby clothes, mittens & socks<br />
-diaper rash cream<br />
-Gripe water<br />
-Washable nursing pads<br />
-Ipad- You will want to make sure any books you want to read are downloaded and any other apps you want are ready to go like Netflix. Your brain won't work super great and trying to think of these things at 3am won't work out the way you think it might ;).<br />
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I have one of these baskets downstairs as well by the nice big recliner that my husband will use if he's up for late nights with the baby. He'll have a nice TV and be all cozy while I snooze upstairs if needed.<br />
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As for my 2 1/2 year old son that will be running around freely while I'm feeding the baby. I wanted a fair chance at him not destroying the house during those times. Most of these items (and baskets) are all dollar store. Many of them are just handmade things (like the cardboard car tracks that he absolutely looooves. FREE, baby!). You definitely won't be in any position to hop up in any kind of hurry if something crazy happens, so this is a nice touch!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfrpPqpsDqnr7VnvKSfUAgN9Rn5rEgVbMnurPM-iA_rPX1YEjIwMrgWi7tj4xmS7v0s338EqTbzHOobIu_8rtB7dtugwnbUwn1OujrCfgfdb4ds5CCs24ZGYDLCdmozJGQkHd-ElSTK4h/s1600/Nursing+Activities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="922" data-original-width="1600" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfrpPqpsDqnr7VnvKSfUAgN9Rn5rEgVbMnurPM-iA_rPX1YEjIwMrgWi7tj4xmS7v0s338EqTbzHOobIu_8rtB7dtugwnbUwn1OujrCfgfdb4ds5CCs24ZGYDLCdmozJGQkHd-ElSTK4h/s640/Nursing+Activities.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And, yes, the baby will be sleeping in our room for the first 3 months! It's especially nice during recovery to have them close. My husband and I have a deal during those first weeks while I'm recovering. When the baby wakes up, he gets up and holds her while I position myself for a feeding. He hands her over to me and I feed her before handing her back for him to get back to sleep! It's a nice deal. A really nice deal. I don't have to move much but we both contribute.<br />
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Here are some other extra's. What else do we have here!<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kiinde-Kozii-Bottle-Warmer-Breast/dp/B005G3QSF2/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503438172&sr=8-1&keywords=kiinde+kozii+bottle+warmer">-Kiinde Kozii bottle/breastmilk warmer</a>- The Kiinde Kozi warmer is suppose to be the best warmer at the moment. You can thaw and warm up frozen breastmilk in their plastic bags or a bottle and you can you warm up jars of baby food, too! The reviews I read (this was the hardest thing for me to decide to buy and commit to with all the reviews on warmers!) almost all said the same thing; the absolute best warmer.....until it died a few months later. So I made the choice between an amazing warmer with a shorter life span or a crappy warmer that kind of worked for a long time. ?<br />
-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Ultimate-Protection-Nursing-Nighttime/dp/B0179BQBP0/ref=sr_1_2_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1503438215&sr=1-2&keywords=lansinoh%2Bultimate%2Bprotection%2Bnursing%2Bpads&th=1">Landsinoh Ultimate Protection Pads</a> - I read review after review on disposable nursing pads and these were my winner!<br />
-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-TheraPearl-Breast-Therapy-Count/dp/B0070767DU/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1503438392&sr=1-1&keywords=lansinoh+3+in+1+therapy">Lansinoh 3-in-1 Breast Therapy</a>- I have a large heating pad to use before I pump, so I don't plan on using these for the heating. But after pumping and definitely after many feedings these will get some great use from the freezer!<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Misslo-Hanging-Pockets-Shampoo-Organizer/dp/B00XPRV306/ref=sr_1_5?s=bedbath&ie=UTF8&qid=1503437837&sr=1-5&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2838746011">Hanging Shower Caddy</a>- THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!! If you don't already have a tower in your shower stall already that is in FRONT of you, you will need something like this. I've mentioned before that that twisting and bending is just not in the cards during recovery. Just the energy and difficulty it takes to get into the shower alone does not leave much room to be standing very long, let alone twisting around or trying to bend and reach shampoo. This hanging caddy hands on the shower rod so it's right next to you!<br />
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Okay, so you've got your house all set up for a C-section recovery. What about that hospital bag?<br />
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-Room to room bag<br />
-Cozy socks<br />
-Green bag- Norwex body cloth to wash face, Makeup remover wipes, deoderant, contact solution, case with glasses and contacts, face moisturizer, toothbrush/toothpaste, brush, travel size shampoo/conditioner, extra hair ties and bobby pins<br />
-Ipad/chargers<br />
-Thank You cards<br />
-Going home clothes (for me and baby. Only the baby's are pictured)<br />
-A folder with pockets. Somewhere to keep all those papers and documents they give you!<br />
-Standing mirror- Since you can't bend much or stand much, doing your hair and make up is out of the question unless you have a little mirror you can set on the table that you eat from. This is also why I have my Norwex cloth and make up remover wipes to clean my face! It'll be done from the bed. The only real thing I will need to do at the sink is brush my teeth.<br />
-Black and white bag- makeup brushes<br />
-Pink bag- make up. I'll most likely only do my makeup the day I'm able to leave, but it's a great feeling finally getting dressed and putting the make up on with some brushed hair so I didn't discard it totally!<br />
-Robe- not pictured.<br />
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So that's all, folks! Don't forget your car seat cover (they won't let you leave the hospital without them anymore is what I was told), and your diaper bag!<br />
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If you're looking for what to expect for the actual C-section, check out <a href="http://hotcookinmama1.blogspot.com/2017/08/everything-you-need-to-know-about-c.html">Everything you Need to Know about a C-section: PART 1</a></div>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-19851769189623127982017-08-22T13:49:00.004-07:002017-08-22T15:14:16.135-07:00Everything You Need to Know about a C-section: PART 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am just a week away from welcoming our 4th child into our family! It has been one crazy year for us, and not really in a good way. At all. There have been some great blessings along the way, though! One of them obviously being little miss coming! Yep, another girl. Three girls and one boy for this family. It feels right and we are READY to meet her! It is no easy task preparing for a C-section, though.<br />
This will be my third C-section, so I have definitely learned a thing or two along the way! I am going to walk you through everything from the products I have purchased, to a few simple tricks to make things easier and, of course, the C section itself.<br />
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Let's start off with the actual C section and what to expect there.<br />
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As a doula it has actually surprised me quite a bit the lack of knowledge there is about C sections. Typically, when a woman decides to look into a doula, it's because she is most likely planning for a natural birth of some kind. Whether it be at home or at the hospital without medication, they have their sights set on their plan. C-sections are <i>never</i> apart of that plan for them. Why would it be? You want to live "the secret" and focus on what your body can do and how to push through the pain. You don't want to focus on what to do if you're told you must have a C section. It gets in the way of your vibe! Totally understandable. However, there may be a situation where you do need a C section, and going into one without a clue of what's happening is definitely worse than taking a little time to know what to expect should it happen. So, what will happen?<br />
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<b>1. The Bomb</b><br />
They've just dropped a bomb on you. For whatever reason a C-section is officially happening. You will most likely be told this in the middle of laboring for however long and, no, they won't spend an hour telling you what's about to happen aside from the most basic information. This is likely due to them preparing for the actual surgery on their part so they aren't going to spend a lot of time holding your hand here. This is where any previous knowledge you have about them come in handy.<br />
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<b>2. The Prep</b><br />
A nurse may come in and check your hair line <i>down there </i>and give the area around where your incision will be made a clean shave. Hospitals and doctors will make this next part vary a bit. But between this point and you actually being in the operating room, your husband will be taken elsewhere to prep him to be in the room with you. You will be given your spinal block (usually in the OR) with your husband likely dressed and in the room by now with you. The spinal block will not hurt. I repeat, it will not hurt. They will numb the area first and walk you through everything. Before you know it, it will be in place and you will be asked to lie flat on your back and a big curtain will be pulled up in front of you blocking your view of what's going on. You will be asked to spread your arms out to either side of you and keep them there during the duration of the surgery.<br />
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<b>3. The Surgery</b><br />
The anesthesiologist will be sitting right up near your head the entire time along with a giant team of nurses and other experts to monitor everything. They are there to watch you while your doctor and his staff focus on the baby delivery. If this is an emergency C-section, it is very likely that they have given you a medication of some kind that will make you sleepy and drift off. You will not feel a thing aside from pressure. I know that word can be tossed around in the medical world as just another word for PAIN. In this situation, it really will be pressure. Soon enough, though, you will hear the baby crying and you can focus on little one while they stitch you up. If you've been given a sleepy medication, it's very likely that you won't be awake much enough to see the baby right away or you could be "out" for a while afterward. This is something that you need to bring up with your doctor if you have an issue with being so tired during and after the surgery. If the C-section is planned, you are fully awake and aware but totally numb, so there is no problem in asking about their particular routines and if you are able to make it known that you do not want to be sleepy or put out should there be an emergency. They may or may not allow you to choose, but it doesn't hurt to ask.<br />
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<b>4. Recovery</b><br />
If you have been sleepy and out of it, the next hour or two will just basically be you sleeping. But you will be taken to a recovery area and watched to make sure you're doing okay. Nurses may place the baby on you to try and feed if they know you are hoping to breastfeed. As you come out of it more and more, you will likely be waking up to nurse after nurse coming by to check on things. Your uterus, your blood, your temperature, everything they can possibly monitor they will be monitoring. You have just been through a major surgery and they treat you as such.<br />
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<b>5. Now what?</b><br />
Now that you're awake and functioning normally, you're going to spend your time pretty normally as if you had just given birth vaginally. Many doctors are very strict with your diet during recovery in the hospital and you may spend the entire time there on a liquid/jello diet. Some doctors are lenient and you will be introduced to more solid foods earlier on. You will be in your own hospital room spending time with your baby and any family you want there. As the pain medicine wears off you will start to realize exactly what kind of surgery you just went through, and the nurses will make sure you know how to ask for more pain meds and to stay on top of them. At some point you'll be asked to try and walk, likely just to the bathroom. This will seem impossible, but if you allow people to help you (it's their job so you might as well), it will go easier and you can do it! I promise!<br />
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<b>6. Going Home</b><br />
Every doctor is different in their requirements for going home. You will either be waiting until you have passed gas, had a bowel movement or just a solid 3 days of monitoring with no issues. Expect no less than 2 nights in the hospital. You will have a final visit from your doctor to give the OK and you are free to somehow get dressed and get your things ready to go!<br />
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There are a few things that might cross your mind the moment you hear you are having a C section. Probably the most common one being; <i>Will the baby and me be okay?</i><br />
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It's important to know that your baby can't feel any of the pain you are feeling during contractions, and they certainly won't be able to feel the incision happening. What baby's can be effected by is stress. Going from a planned natural birth to a C section, your stress level might sky rocket for a bit there, so it's important to focus on the fact that the baby won't feel pain and you won't feel pain. You will just be lying there :). It's a calm procedure and anything outside of "gentle" will just be a nurse giving the baby a little helpful push to come out if necessary (hello. pressure).<br />
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So focus on that mantra you practiced for your natural birth to keep you calm. Focus on the fact that a room full of medical professionals will be devoting their time to watching you. Every blink, every breath, everything. There will be medical professionals monitoring your baby and ready to jump in at a moments notice. Stay calm, my friend! It will likely be less stressful on you and the baby than going through hours of agonizing pain during a natural labor if you allow yourself time <i>beforehand </i>to process what a C-section would consist of <i>and </i>time to meditate and calm yourself from that initial <i>bomb </i>moment.<br />
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The physical recovery from a C-section is painful and varies in how long it takes you to feel 100%. If you want to know what to pack for the hospital and and how to set your home up for a C-section, it's right here! Everything You Need to Know about a C-section: PART 2</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-29314895131284170682017-06-20T10:04:00.003-07:002017-06-20T10:15:12.263-07:00Mary Kay TimeWise Repair Revealing Radiance Facial Peel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Wow! That is quite the name for a product! What does it even mean? Repair Revealing Radiance. That sounded like something I could definitely use. My skin had just been through the ringer between stress and winter. Dry, dull, sad, breaking out, you name it.</div>
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So! I was able to have an amazing Mary Kay consultant come to my home for my little facial. It was all fun and games and girly just having fun until I applied the facial peel. I was confused! <i>A facial PEEL? This feels like a really soft luxurious moisturizer of sorts. Not a peel</i>. You usually think of peels as either thin and sticky that you eventually peel off or something pretty rough on your face to slough off all the crap. So I was intrigued. How could this texture possibly perform the way it claimed it would? It was soft, almost buttery without the stick factor from butter. It almost felt refreshing. Can "refreshing" be a texture? I'm having trouble coming up with how this product feels on the skin. All I knew is that I loved how it felt and wanted to know how it was going to work. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAL9mlqzAzHfg_7IRu-XGmrLJ-4Ag-MX8tw4qvBTHa9yVSEiLrX4rfN2TzVWc-T9jJPSEONwFXaA5ms0lzJmwiRh4u8nz5Fd645C-HbChRZ0HbELcrfUIpHdIkrsqz9lnxp8XlbZr7G9d/s1600/300524_001_TWRepair_Facial+Peel.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="345" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAL9mlqzAzHfg_7IRu-XGmrLJ-4Ag-MX8tw4qvBTHa9yVSEiLrX4rfN2TzVWc-T9jJPSEONwFXaA5ms0lzJmwiRh4u8nz5Fd645C-HbChRZ0HbELcrfUIpHdIkrsqz9lnxp8XlbZr7G9d/s640/300524_001_TWRepair_Facial+Peel.png" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.marykay.com/en-us/products/skincare/collection/timewise-repair/timewise-repair-revealing-radiance-facial-peel-300524"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: Mary Kay</span></a></div>
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I will say that the first thing I noticed about the peel was the smell. I swear to you guys, if I could bathe in this scent I would. I don't know what it is about it but it just smells so clean! Again...refreshing. Ha!</div>
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The time came to wash it off and as usual, my skin felt amazing. In my experience, that's usually how your skin feels immediately after ....well.....any product, really. Soft, smooth, clean, impurity free. You know the drill. So of course, I loved it. But I knew the real test would come later. Hours afterward. Would my skin feel stripped dry? Would it start to actually peel from the potency in the ingredients (like most other products do on my skin)? </div>
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I obviously didn't want to make my consultant hang around for hours and hours on end before I made my decision, so I went ahead an bought it so I could test it out. She handed me a bunch of the microdermabrasion samples and advised me to apply that one day and then wait a couple of days to apply the facial peel because together they are a dream team.</div>
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I did NOT feel that way! The peel stood the test of time for a full day (haha), meaning that my skin did not get dry, it did not react negatively at all. It just stayed the same nice clean and smooth moisturized way it was right after I'd washed it off. BUT, after I started using it with the microdermabrasion, my skin started peeeeeelliiiingggg ooooofffff! Like crazy peeling. It was terrible. I wasn't sure if my skin was finally reacting to the peel, or just the microdermabrasion or the combination of the two. So I quite using the microdermabrasion. </div>
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I went ahead and just used either my GlamGlow skin brightening mask or my GlamGlow hydration thirstymud mask the couple of days before my facial peel day. My skin cleared right up and got back to normal. So I'm assuming it was the microdermabrasion that caused me trouble!</div>
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For the past two-ish months, I have continued on with that same routine. My skin is brighter and happier and moisturized. The past two weeks I quit using it to see what would happen. I immediately started nursing about 5 giant zits all over my face and crazy dryness on my forehead. What the HECK. I've started up with the peel again and things are going back to normal. So I have to say that can't be coincidence. The ingredients are gentle enough that it can work like some kind of magic on your skin without roughing it all up. All the while, you smell like a dream. </div>
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It's pretty rare for me to find a skin product that I feel like I HAVE to repurchase after I've used it all up. I can normally just buy something else that does the same thing and call it good. I don't have any major loyalty to anything because I never really feel like I find anything that my skin is in love with. I'm already getting anxiety about running out of this stuff! It's a huge bottle though so I've got plenty of time (a little goes a long way). </div>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-16626168152915274162017-06-05T18:27:00.002-07:002017-06-05T18:37:25.353-07:00Redefine Lip Renewing Serum<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">By now, most of you have probably heard about
Rodan & Fields. How could you not, they are the #1 skin care company in the
nation as of right now. They specialize in skin care regimens that have an
insane success rate! Since I'm a pretty skeptical person in general, I figured
I'd give their lip repair serum a try to get a feel for how their products and
company work.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;">My R&F </span><span style="font-size: 12.6667px;">distributor</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt;"> advised me to do the
treatment day and night for one week at first and then just once a day. Here is
my before & after! Yes, the middle one really is me. I wasn't very diligent in making sure the lighting was the same in my pictures and it really shows. The first one is in my bathroom with a mixture of natural and artificial light, the second one is in my bathroom with only natural light and the last one is in my car with only natural light. I hope you can still see the differences-<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik95WnHLe5UQkJOIYQKvlaC0B1dO_Bh9es_l1GfWfUdzLh6iykAbVFY2jEVcH1yMIIg402COzyT0svwhIM5HU2JztU99kd67oheeA4m38brslw4TIGiTOT2ve9ZXGVj7wv2_spsaMI53b1/s1600/BEFOREAFTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1209" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik95WnHLe5UQkJOIYQKvlaC0B1dO_Bh9es_l1GfWfUdzLh6iykAbVFY2jEVcH1yMIIg402COzyT0svwhIM5HU2JztU99kd67oheeA4m38brslw4TIGiTOT2ve9ZXGVj7wv2_spsaMI53b1/s320/BEFOREAFTER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Let's get to the details! Here is what you will
get-<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO28vsCKA7sqWGaOkcdn6xqUwCbvxRYoupEB5a1SYAWmnM745MoQSX2Z66WmVy8gU10gCuSrFxFEjcAkdCDskxWC2S2RgKj0lKRsum2v2oI3elWc5KtgbpLi1nW3nTTUtANyfeBuInws-T/s1600/IMG_20170605_180531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO28vsCKA7sqWGaOkcdn6xqUwCbvxRYoupEB5a1SYAWmnM745MoQSX2Z66WmVy8gU10gCuSrFxFEjcAkdCDskxWC2S2RgKj0lKRsum2v2oI3elWc5KtgbpLi1nW3nTTUtANyfeBuInws-T/s640/IMG_20170605_180531.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">On the inside are little capsules with the
serum inside of each one. Mine came with 63 capsules, so one could argue that
you are given 63 days worth of treatment. However, upon opening up my first
capsule and applying it to my lips I quickly realized that there was waaaaaay
more than enough for two applications per capsule. So, with my recommendation
of applying it morning and night for a week, that meant I only used 7 of my
capsules for that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_d2NodS8RUJ5n_nrVCQyGauMA9cEVkCLb0NSriUJCNz4UHPynFjDwMDE9Udkxpj0Avm-SpAN72Wwk9IVaIQrZuDMJfD6bsX44wRMHrw641j6rJt2gU-8csEjjxkEf0FTK8QOl4hWm2Rl/s1600/IMG_20170605_180559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK_d2NodS8RUJ5n_nrVCQyGauMA9cEVkCLb0NSriUJCNz4UHPynFjDwMDE9Udkxpj0Avm-SpAN72Wwk9IVaIQrZuDMJfD6bsX44wRMHrw641j6rJt2gU-8csEjjxkEf0FTK8QOl4hWm2Rl/s640/IMG_20170605_180559.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">My first impression when I first applied the
serum was, "ooOOOooo!" It honestly felt like it was kind melting into
my lips with the warmth of my body heat. It was very smooth and comfortable as
a serum and not sticky or overwhelming. It absorbed well over time, thought
when I woke up in the morning after my night time application I still felt like
my lips were moisturized and nourished, yet I couldn't really feel any product
on my lips? I note that as a good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">I am very satisfied with my results and tell
everyone I know about it. I am very confident and comfortable with the idea of
ordering more product from this company. I already know what I'm getting next
and and I can't wait! If you are wondering what on earth you would get from
Rodan & Fields but you're curious about what they have to offer, take their
little quiz <a href="https://asteffensen.myrandf.com/Pages/OurProducts/GetAdvice/SolutionsTool">right here</a> which will guide you to the perfect regimen for your
skin! Or you can just browse around and get familiar with all they have (like
their brand new hydration serum that has caused a crazy stir in the skin
care/beauty industry already)!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Bottom line: On a scale of 1-10 (my favorite
way of rating products), I give this an 9.5. It's in the pricier side, but with
how much product I received and the overall results I got, it was very VERY
worth it. The ONLY reason I did not give this a 10 is because of a minor
packaging detail and the issue is only an issue because there's so much
product..... so am I really I'm a place to complain? You decide!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">Here's what I mean. Since there is too much
product for just one application (for me personally), I'm left with an open
capsule and no real way to seal it or keep it closed until my next use without
it just pouring out all over. I quickly discovered that my bobby pins
"teeth" clamped the opening shut tight enough to keep it closed until
my next use.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP2RKFEp899uPn4W7PburaKsS9kVlOH-puhCiLu3DAMnU-eRE-JTx9QDixRBwzHIO56t8UZUekPh4xd-S-nVRR4SWgZIY_WMDYwlcqxg1KHv986rgn6jZOJkzq-9p475bVm_RNfVG3Fnb/s1600/IMG_20170605_180742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP2RKFEp899uPn4W7PburaKsS9kVlOH-puhCiLu3DAMnU-eRE-JTx9QDixRBwzHIO56t8UZUekPh4xd-S-nVRR4SWgZIY_WMDYwlcqxg1KHv986rgn6jZOJkzq-9p475bVm_RNfVG3Fnb/s640/IMG_20170605_180742.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">I just placed my capsule carrying bobby pin
over the container and it stayed that way just fine! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZ5bgv7WHt76x7TWbDmPKzI7FxN0mnv5Qh-8i6AucMcgI-I-3w7BsQu9CELQCCMBKjgWJvlf2F-LLY18XmX98t_HsauBeh9_jofdzyMSlmAjL5onpLgiYX-FTabDnTk53si_zqqtVEvQ2/s1600/IMG_20170605_180758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZ5bgv7WHt76x7TWbDmPKzI7FxN0mnv5Qh-8i6AucMcgI-I-3w7BsQu9CELQCCMBKjgWJvlf2F-LLY18XmX98t_HsauBeh9_jofdzyMSlmAjL5onpLgiYX-FTabDnTk53si_zqqtVEvQ2/s640/IMG_20170605_180758.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9.5pt;">So, I don't know. Is that
fair to complain about? There's probably a better way to deal with this and I
made it complicated. I might as well have given this a 10!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-37020667690390902632017-05-30T20:32:00.000-07:002017-05-30T20:32:11.131-07:00Sesame Noodles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
First let me just apologize for this picture. It was just sitting on the counter waiting to be eaten and I remembered I needed a picture. So I didn't try to make it look fancy. It's just as is. Also, I just had angel hair pasta on hand, so it looks a little "off," but I promise you it's good!<br />
<br />
I have no idea where my head was at, but as I was preparing meals for our "health week," I looked at my plans for buffalo chicken lettuce wraps and thought an Asian noodle side dish would pair well. They were both great on their own, but together I have no idea why I put them together! It's not even really like they're super healthy, but hey, I had already drowned chicken in hot sauce so.... we'll just go with it.<br />
<br />
These had really good flavor, most likely due to the sesame oil used! My husband loooooves sesame oil so I had zero reservations about the whole thing. They were deeeelicious! Of course. <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/simple-sesame-noodles/">Pioneer Woman</a>, right? Not to mention, this whips up FAST. You're using thin noodles so they don't take long at all and everything is just kind of dump and mix and go. Loved it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcrojhVJn3_V_7YUoLPYdtDhzacko8qDATPbXJhun4frtGhBWaKbGOotIqPC3PAy459CBJ9KMejRNVrobUR1e07C-l28rz_yaSbAANasvLbFZHbUpbIo5I5qLcjtmVL-Q4tDVR_rPVl3_/s1600/Sesame+Noodles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcrojhVJn3_V_7YUoLPYdtDhzacko8qDATPbXJhun4frtGhBWaKbGOotIqPC3PAy459CBJ9KMejRNVrobUR1e07C-l28rz_yaSbAANasvLbFZHbUpbIo5I5qLcjtmVL-Q4tDVR_rPVl3_/s640/Sesame+Noodles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
What you will need:<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>12 oz. thin noodles, cooked and drained</li>
<li>1/4 C soy sauce</li>
<li>2 T sugar</li>
<li>4 cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li>2 T rice vinegar</li>
<li>3 T pure sesame oil</li>
<li>1/2 tsp. hot chili oil</li>
<li>4 T canola oil</li>
<li>Green onions, thinly sliced (optional)</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mix all ingredients (minus the noodles) together in a bowl</li>
<li>Toss the cooked and drained noodles with the oil</li>
<li>Top with green onions (optional)</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-64284022885727623542017-05-22T13:19:00.000-07:002017-05-22T13:23:54.371-07:00Cake Mix Peanut Butter Bars<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So yesterday happened, which was a Sunday, and my husband was craving a dessert with peanut butter in it. Specifically, peanut butter bars. The catch? We only had 1 stick of butter. Since we don't go shopping on Sundays I was up for a bit of a challenge in finding something that would satisfy his craving!<br />
<br />
But you guys, I did it! And, of course, it's a <a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2015/10/cake-mix-peanut-butter-bars-2.html">Six Sisters Stuff recipe</a>. I swear between them and Pioneer Woman they are always saving the day.<br />
<br />
I was a little skeptical at the whole cake mix idea of it. I was sure the texture would be way too off to be considered a "bar." The recipe was so dang easy though it was worth it to just go for it and see what happened.<br />
<br />
Well, here you have it! Freakin' YUM! I love these things. My husband says that the cake flavor mixed with the peanut butter isn't quite up to his standards, but it satisfied what he was after. I, on the other hand, had zero issue with the cake flavor mixed with the peanut butter! I thought the whole thing was great and we both agreed that the texture was definitely that of a bar!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeicR3muQUlgadz0EX354BC3F1JPcUbIoFRTuxVRntJb0beaRn1wHTVZI6sieR491w_yuJ-Z1Eo17gajWuuv0csUBfNTZIS0KYhz4PLedHk6xaRQReC4jVObhkyHjEF6cGG6SrhbCAOgt/s1600/Cake+Mix+Peanut+Butter+Bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeicR3muQUlgadz0EX354BC3F1JPcUbIoFRTuxVRntJb0beaRn1wHTVZI6sieR491w_yuJ-Z1Eo17gajWuuv0csUBfNTZIS0KYhz4PLedHk6xaRQReC4jVObhkyHjEF6cGG6SrhbCAOgt/s640/Cake+Mix+Peanut+Butter+Bars.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What you will need:<br />
<br />
Bars-<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1 box vanilla cake mix</li>
<li>1 egg</li>
<li>1/2 C water</li>
<li>1 C peanut butter</li>
</ul>
<div>
Frosting-</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>1 stick (1/2 c) butter, softened</li>
<li>1/4 C milk</li>
<li>3 T cocoa powder</li>
<li>1-2 tsp. vanilla (I used 2)</li>
<li>2-3 C powdered sugar (I ended up using 2 1/2)</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bars-</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Preheat oven to 350*</li>
<li>Spray a 13x9 baking dish with non stick spray</li>
<li>Mix cake mix, egg, water and peanut butter together until mixed well</li>
<li>Pour and spread mixture into the 13x9 dish</li>
<li>Bake about 20-25 minutes</li>
<li>When completely cooled, spread frosting on top</li>
</ul>
<div>
Frosting-</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mix all ingredients together until a smooth frosting forms. Add powdered sugar as needed for desired consistency</li>
<li>Spread over the top of the peanut butter bars</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-12475798420842408632017-05-22T12:46:00.000-07:002017-05-22T12:46:19.420-07:00It's Official: I FinallyTried Shakeology<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Finally, after YEARS! I have tried Shakeology. </div>
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Let me first start by mentioning that the Beachbody program drove me absolutely nuts from the start. The constant selfies with their "superfood, dense nutrition shake!" along with becoming a nutrition coach from simply paying a fee was not rubbing me the right way. So I stayed away from the whole thing. Far, far away.</div>
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Now of course, since it's been years of Beachbody not going anywhere, I have seen people actually benefit from it. My husband is a Chiropractor so we are no strangers to a holistic and nutrition based approach to health. He is required to attend classes and seminars with top nutritionists from all over the world every year, so there is no lack of knowledge in that area in our home. We have both scrutinized the Beachbody programs; the meal plans, the workouts, you name it. While it tends to follow "what sells" as far as the meal plans go and not always super up to date, there is no doubt that it's good for you!</div>
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For the past year or so, I have been very happy to recommend Beachbody to people who are looking to lose weight. Why? Because time after time I have watched nearly every person touched by this program become happier and more confident. They have not only lost weight, but managed to keep it off because the program focuses so much on learning to manage lifestyle changes and WHY. </div>
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Would I ever become a coach? Absolutely not. Their compensation and business plan is TERRIBLE in my opinion. I know so many who really love it, though, and actually know a couple who have become VERY successful with it. So, while I personally don't see it as worth joining, I would never tell someone not to do it. We are all different with our own ideas so if this is your thing, I say go for it.</div>
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Now, onto the Shakeology portion of the Beachbody program. Number one, it's expensive. Beachbody coaches will kindly remind you that it breaks down to only about $3-<span class="m_-7088731213630487652money">$4</span> a shake. So you can decide if that's a reasonable price for a meal replacement or not! </div>
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For me, that's not too bad actually. However, it better be pretty good for me to commit to that pretty chunk of change. The ONLY flavors I have tried are Strawberry and Chocolate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjY9CJG_N5tI41JpWx3wY_wfK3-OzCfTIZ-n1sty4ow_8orLGUsl-RB_0sF0soTs9nl0omOFLYVgrLEn4ASgXpgWVyoGmFbvW3E3a7d_2aWhCBBkH8zQq1qp_Do4ViNzXTNnzg_qJVN4e8/s1600/shakeo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjY9CJG_N5tI41JpWx3wY_wfK3-OzCfTIZ-n1sty4ow_8orLGUsl-RB_0sF0soTs9nl0omOFLYVgrLEn4ASgXpgWVyoGmFbvW3E3a7d_2aWhCBBkH8zQq1qp_Do4ViNzXTNnzg_qJVN4e8/s320/shakeo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Image Source: <a href="http://www.shakeology.com/gse/-/gse/product/MDSHK0202N1E102?code=CSE_SHK_GOOGLE&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=22204895465&CATCI=pla-261744713480&code=CSE_GOOGLE&utm_campaign=Shakeology-PLA%20Shopping%20Campaign%20Brand&utm_term=&gclid=CN3-h8ahhNQCFc5bfgodTywL8w">Shakeology.com</a></span></div>
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I started with strawberry and got the low down from my experienced shakeo friends. I tried every single thing they recommended. I could not get through more than a few gulps before giving up each time. However, I was not about to go down that easy! </div>
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I researched what flavor is the "best," and it's pretty unanimous that chocolate is the best tasting over all. I got excited and my friend gave me a full bag to have (I mean... that's a big gift). Both my husband and I were almost giddy to try it. I started Pinteresting ways to make it immediately.</div>
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My husband tried first and he made one that was actually decent tasting. It wasn't the best, but for the first time I felt like maybe I could get used to it. I got optimistic and saw myself actually becoming a Shakeology person! I WANTED to be a Shakeology person. There is no denying how amazing it is for you and I wanted that for myself.</div>
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It was downhill from there. We could never quite find a way that we could get used to and enjoy enough to go for it seriously. I think my biggest issue was texture. No matter what ways we tried it, I just couldn't get past it. I sort of knew that would be my biggest hurdle because here's a secret; I have never liked shakes in the first place! Now my opinion might as well be completely void. My husband, however, loves shakes. He is not as picky as I at all. He gave up days after I did and we both just had to admit to each other that it wasn't going to happen. I feel strange about this, like I'm wrong in this opinion, like we are the only ones who don't like it.</div>
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Bottom line. Beachbody itself is an A. Even with Shakeology. Why? Because SO MANY PEOPLE love Shakeology, it can't be some mass club where they all initiate the newcomers by forcing them to lie about how much they love it, right? Okay, I've seen people lie for less. But you know what I'm saying. I know so many people who just drink the mix with water and they are totally fine with it. I have some leftover chocolate Shakeology and I still plan on trying out new recipes to use with it in the form of healthy snacks. I'm still a little in denial here, can you tell? </div>
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I think over all this is definitely something worth TRYING. And I know that you don't need to drop a ton of money to just try it. You can contact a coach and get a sample first if you're skeptical! I am so glad that I gave it an honest go, and to be honest, I'll probably try again when I'm not pregnant and see if anything is different for me!</div>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-13530595144643690672017-04-14T13:01:00.002-07:002017-04-14T13:01:51.201-07:00Chocolate Chip Mug Cookie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This happened because I was scrolling through Pinterest and happened to have chocolate chips on hand. Also, I'm pregnant. As if I could have said no!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A chocolate chip mug cookie? As far as mug desserts go, this one I am sure I will go ahead and make again in the future. I wouldn't say that the cookie part itself offers much flavor, but it sure offered some great substance to eat some melted gooey chocolate chips with. So, when the craving hits, this will be a good one for me.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29LkKap7bcVM3fTG8lt6bZqGtCkX-x29bBpWIPC3utSWLaF3ThZwVnC0vU8H5TwoLjhzWd3jnFgXwmJLFR_-fxrhiciuXBwv3zqO0uCIXNeqc6tZm759iympV_aDv_26Y0gPAv2u0_ywL/s1600/Chocolate+Chip+Mug+Cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29LkKap7bcVM3fTG8lt6bZqGtCkX-x29bBpWIPC3utSWLaF3ThZwVnC0vU8H5TwoLjhzWd3jnFgXwmJLFR_-fxrhiciuXBwv3zqO0uCIXNeqc6tZm759iympV_aDv_26Y0gPAv2u0_ywL/s640/Chocolate+Chip+Mug+Cookie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What you will need:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>1 tsp. oil</li>
<li>3 T milk</li>
<li>1/4 tsp. vanilla</li>
<li>3 heaping T brown sugar (not packed)</li>
<li>4 T flour</li>
<li>2 T chocolate chips to mix in</li>
<li>1 T chocolate chips to drop on the top</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Mix together the wet ingredients (oil, milk and vanilla)</li>
<li>Add in the brown sugar and mix well</li>
<li>Mix in the flour </li>
<li>Mix in the chocolate chips</li>
<li>Microwave for 1 minute if you want it nice and gooey, 1 minute and 30 seconds if you'd like it somewhere in the middle and 2 minutes if you want the dough to not be gooey but still a little gooey around the melty chocolate chips.</li>
</ul>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-64271101398677589192017-04-14T12:13:00.000-07:002017-04-14T13:01:58.610-07:00Easy Baked Chicken Taco'sI can't believe I don't already have these on here! This is seriously a family favorite, and considering that it's a sneaky way to make my kids eat tomatoes and onions, it's a big time personal favorite, too! It calls for a diced onion and a can of diced tomatoes. What I do is toss them in a blender until they make a sauce together and toss the shredded chicken with it. You can do it however you want, though!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4JXFnH2clhuHGjap9yaxi6PABz-Bv98fJjEt04ZDJt8VrmZZINAqdCXNHATcrtoqWEFG-lvDvVlK4jTep7oJasqtk51caXc2iJ4DVT2xT-Z_WQFuWF2pHTY8AdkXsT9FAAFsxjEB8-4N/s1600/Baked+Chicken+Tacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4JXFnH2clhuHGjap9yaxi6PABz-Bv98fJjEt04ZDJt8VrmZZINAqdCXNHATcrtoqWEFG-lvDvVlK4jTep7oJasqtk51caXc2iJ4DVT2xT-Z_WQFuWF2pHTY8AdkXsT9FAAFsxjEB8-4N/s640/Baked+Chicken+Tacos.jpg" width="604" /></a></div>
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<br />
<br />
What you will need:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>1 pkg. taco seasoning of your choice</li>
<li>3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded</li>
<li>Mexican shredded cheese blend</li>
<li>1 onion, diced</li>
<li>1 can diced tomatoes</li>
<li>Hard taco shells</li>
<li>Topics of your choice</li>
</ul>
<div>
Directions:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>When your chicken is cooked and shredded, add the taco seasoning in and mix well</li>
<li>Preheat oven to 350*</li>
<li>Either add the diced tomatoes and onion to the chicken and mix, or blend them in a blender until it makes a sauce or chunky texture to mix in with the chicken</li>
<li>Fill the taco shells with the chicken</li>
<li>Top with the shredded cheese</li>
<li>Bake at 350* for about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted</li>
<li>Top with favorite taco topics</li>
</ul>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-6363059849930099842017-02-17T14:29:00.000-08:002017-02-17T14:29:38.104-08:00My Year without Facebook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sitting on my couch at 11:30pm New Years Eve, my husband and I were all snuggled up watching the new documentary, <i>How to Make a Murderer</i>. We were so glued to what was on the TV, we hardly noticed that midnight was approaching. I had flirted with the idea of challenging myself with going a year without Facebook, but hadn't really accepted the idea fully until about 5 minutes to the year.<br />
<br />
We pried ourselves away from the documentary long enough to watch the ball drop, where I decided on a whim to just go for it. I made my last Facebook status and set my phone aside, ready to get back into our show.<br />
<br />
For a lot of people, leaving Facebook isn't that big of a deal. Either they don't spend a lot of time on there anyway, or they are annoyed with everyone in their feed enough to really welcome the break. I, on the other hand, really love Facebook. I feel like I have the most hilarious and interesting friends so I genuinely enjoy interacting with people on there day to day. I love the updates, the different opinions and the witty memes. I don't find myself falling into the trap of jealousy based on everyone's "highlight reel" as it's so popularly described. So for me, leaving Facebook was a pretty big deal. Here are a few things I learned!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Withdrawal was Non </span></b><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Existent</b></span><br />
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I expected to wake up on January 1st feeling sad or like a piece of me was missing. However, for some strange reason, my brain adapted to the idea of not having Facebook in my life immediately. My head knew it was not an option, so I didn't think about it. It was completely blocked out. That was SHOCKING to me. I honestly thought I would pick up my phone out of habit and click on Facebook, even by accident. It never happened. I run my husbands business page, so there were about five times or so when I posted something for it, but I never scrolled through my feed, never checked my notifications, nothing. The desire was gone, and I did not expect that.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. I am Not Important on Facebook</span></b><br />
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You know, I was absent during an election year. Not ONCE did anyone text me, call me or try to contact me in any way to ask me my political opinions. Doesn't the world need to know my stance on any given subject? Doesn't random dude from high school I never talk to in real life need to know how wrong he is by me posting a passive aggressive half truth meme? Nobody needed me, nobody cared. This wasn't surprising, but coming back to Facebook during an inauguration month where everyone didn't already know what I had learned was surprising ;). It's still fun to share ideas and different view points, but I definitely have a more clear perspective about my actual impact with the things I post.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. I Felt Bad</span></b><br />
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I knew that what I was doing was worthwhile and positive, but there were a few times where I found myself feeling guilty. I would run into someone at the store and not realize that they'd had a baby, or that they were going through cancer treatments with their son, or that their husband had graduated and they were heading off on a new adventure. On one hand, it made small talk genuine and fresh, rather than bringing up things you already know about someone. On the other hand, I didn't want them to think that I didn't care or didn't notice them. It's a tricky balance when you want to stay social but it has to be on your own terms without the ease of Facebook. I didn't reach out to people as often as I normally would with Facebook, and therefore missed a lot of important events in people's lives that I felt bad about. That is probably the one thing I would try to do better could I go back and do it again. I would put more effort into contacting and seeing people in "the real world" more often.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. I Missed a lot of Events</span></b><br />
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In a world where the most effective way of inviting people to an event is through Facebook, people will either invite you that way and forget you're not around to see it, or they'll remember you're not on Facebook but never get around to actually texting you or calling you about it. The phrase, "why weren't you at...." was so familiar, it took about 6 months into the year before people started remembering that I really wouldn't know about an event unless they personally told me about it. My own Grandma had to remember this, too! :)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. I Accomplished a LOT</span></b><br />
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Imagine if every time you picked up your phone, you couldn't use Facebook. What would you do next? My house got more organized than ever before, I read a lot and I spent a lot more time with my kids. I completed the Book of Mormon five times and the Doctrine and Covenants once. My personal goal as a house wife/stay at home mom has always been to treat it as I would any other career. I believe in trying to excel in my job in any way I can. I made the goal about 6 years ago to have a clean home, calm kids and dinner 15 minutes away from being on the table when my husband walked in the door from school/work. Boy is that a LOT easier when Facebook isn't a distraction during every spare second I had! I felt like my house was a home, my kids more engaged and I found my strengths and interests again.<br />
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Final thought? It was one of the best things I've done for myself. It was 100% worth it, 100% not as hard as I thought it would be and I would 100% recommend it to everyone and anyone. I promise you that if I, the Facebook lover, can do it, you can definitely do it, too!<br />
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-43723394033242373372017-01-02T11:58:00.001-08:002017-01-02T11:58:27.984-08:00Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Our family was so lucky to get to spend the holidays with all my family this year! It's pretty rare these days so I'm glad we got to make a lot of memories!<br />
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One of the things we did was doing a Chinese food potluck for New Years Eve. Best. Idea. EVER! I feel like it might have to be tradition now no matter who is around! Everyone made such delicious food, and lucky me I was able to find a crockpot teriyaki chicken recipe from the <a href="http://flavorite.net/2015/03/15/slow-cooker-teriyaki-chicken/">Flavorite</a>. It made things so easy with how crazy my New Years Eve day was. I knew I wouldn't have the time to cook something later in the day or spend much time on it.<br />
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This was perfect, although my chicken got really tender and it kind of turned into shredded teriyaki chicken. Woops! This picture was taken a couple days later with leftovers so it's not as juicy looking. But you get the idea! I actually doubled the sauce recipe and I think it turned out great that way!<br />
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What you will need:<br />
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>2 lbs. boneless chicken</li>
<li>1/4 C brown sugar</li>
<li>1/2 C soy sauce</li>
<li>2 T cider vinegar</li>
<li>1 tsp. ground ginger</li>
<li>1 clove garlic, minced</li>
<li>2 tsp water</li>
<li>2 tsp cornstarch</li>
<li>Sesame seeds</li>
</ul>
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Directions:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mix the brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and garlic in a bowl</li>
<li>Pour the sauce over the chicken in a slow cooker</li>
<li>Cook on low for 4-6 hours</li>
<li>Remove chicken from slow cooker</li>
<li>Pour sauce into a pan and bring to a boil</li>
<li>Mix cornstarch and water together in a small bowl</li>
<li>Slowly pour cornstarch mix into the sauce and mix together</li>
<li>Turn heat to medium and stir until sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes)</li>
<li>Add sesame seeds if desired</li>
<li>Cut up chicken and place back into slow cooker with sauce until ready to serve</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-51737911122978192712016-12-09T12:36:00.000-08:002016-12-09T13:55:29.234-08:00Christmas for HER on a Budget<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The first week of December has come and gone already. Have you done your Christmas shopping? I try to do the majority of mine in November so that I can spend most of December thinking about the reason for the season and overall just enjoying the holiday instead of scrambling!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi420A_XNWimaRjNiR9GSQOztm-fQl3GkNQuIOlha6_R5TG5BVFhxZiQ2ny7vBPTy9xrDNjVBBcuMx5zqLXV41UfJ4f97sdoFJb6EkvEfMqmnwpn0IZMkACuGc8_94Oz75e8DtIQHqIvN31/s1600/CHRISTMASFORHER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi420A_XNWimaRjNiR9GSQOztm-fQl3GkNQuIOlha6_R5TG5BVFhxZiQ2ny7vBPTy9xrDNjVBBcuMx5zqLXV41UfJ4f97sdoFJb6EkvEfMqmnwpn0IZMkACuGc8_94Oz75e8DtIQHqIvN31/s400/CHRISTMASFORHER.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Men are extremely hard to shop for. I know men say that women are hard to shop for, but really it's the men. Sorry ladies, I got nothin' for ya. This post is for the men to get gift ideas. Particularly for the wives, or the mother of your children. If she hasn't asked for anything specific (or even if she has, these would be great add-ons), I am here for you. What I am about to do is not only give you gift ideas, I'm about to create the perfect evening for her, for you. Stick with me until the end. You'll see.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://hotcookinmama1.blogspot.com/2014/09/and-were-back-with-chicken-noodle-soup.html">Chicken Noodle Soup</a></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDU6KtxI3zjtZ1N4v_Ccm2O4y4bG_Ryv-lJLMeuo_t689Ly1iCjOipdihes9_VAzS9I6E68I8b6Ah_jfGA1P8oDfqY64exFI8KAFeO677biaCAvivTZ81MBkKPZXIrGwLmvjnf55yC2SY/s1600/Chicken+Noodle+Soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDU6KtxI3zjtZ1N4v_Ccm2O4y4bG_Ryv-lJLMeuo_t689Ly1iCjOipdihes9_VAzS9I6E68I8b6Ah_jfGA1P8oDfqY64exFI8KAFeO677biaCAvivTZ81MBkKPZXIrGwLmvjnf55yC2SY/s400/Chicken+Noodle+Soup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Okay.
Hear me out. It's a strange "gift" but like I said stick with me to the end. Pretty much all chicken noodle soups are mostly the same.
No matter where it's from or who is making it. I have finally perfected this
recipe and told my 9 year old daughter the absolute musts the other night. She repeated them back to me carefully
before she scooped for seconds. This soup is on another level. It is not
just noodles and chicken with chicken stock. It has the most perfect
"golden" flavor. Yes, that's a flavor in my mind. I've only ever used it
to describe a chocolate chip cookie before. Somehow I'm also
using it to describe soup. Figure that one out! Its golden, chickeny,
perfectly seasoned flavor is by far my favorite soup right now! It
took me a few months to get it right and make it my own, but I have just
now revised the recipe to match how I make it now, secrets
and all. Just for you! Enjoy!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.sephora.com/thirstymud-tm-hydrating-treatment-P384782?skuId=1632207&publisher_id=255779&sub_publisher=s&is_mobile=&sub1=&sub_keyword=&sub_campaign=378477159&sub_placement=&gdevice=c&gclid=CMaTnPPv59ACFYOUfgod3-4FhQ&site=_search&om_mmc=ppc-GG_378477159_27759162039_pla-181492380279_1632207_97594801959_9029486_c&gmodel=&country_switch=&lang=en&sub_ad=97594801959">Glam Glow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment Mask</a> <span style="font-size: x-large;">$22</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdE3KnsbdrcxGi6VJF9cO4O1SBOm1Ms5tWV3otffvTElcGpSLhpn7NdCjG3c5ZwFV0dBTlQj4RHmrtURgbt9IaWwpZZzYS0MqevJrGRqdbzCT2xOisFDxRrc2PB1fuQ3CRdWeChsSNvbs/s1600/christmaspost2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdE3KnsbdrcxGi6VJF9cO4O1SBOm1Ms5tWV3otffvTElcGpSLhpn7NdCjG3c5ZwFV0dBTlQj4RHmrtURgbt9IaWwpZZzYS0MqevJrGRqdbzCT2xOisFDxRrc2PB1fuQ3CRdWeChsSNvbs/s1600/christmaspost2.PNG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: Sephora.com</span></b></span></div>
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This
is still a favorite of mine. The winter always has my skin so dry it
peels. Makeup looks disgusting and patchy. I look unhealthy and dull.
It's a sad time. I put this on for about 20 minutes every other morning
(so far it hasn't made a difference if I've put it on before or after a
shower as long as I moisturize). You can feel it working in a pleasant
way and your skin feels very refreshed afterward. The dryness and
peeling for me is gone and replaced with a healthy glow! You can technically sleep with this on and get the ultra effects from it. However, this mask doesn't dry like your typical mask. Your face absorbs it over time so that's nice, but sleeping with it on was tricky for me so I haven't done that in a while.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.marykay.com/lpowell2045/en-us/products/body-and-sun/fragrancefree-satin-hands-pampering-set-300530?pageVar=you%20may%20also%20like">Milk Bath</a> <span style="font-size: x-large;">$3</span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4BkEzXuh9f5_9t7GFTP51Ej6rg4sTiAdz1XiPfixrzepLIo-R2EWjmQevOjjttg32Od9kbl8zlP1MZpJdzeyWQNx5A_FOmWtOj_CrawLXDWRcI_OhzDSzBZ_dcWL0tiS5JitFGbI6gWG/s1600/christmaspost3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4BkEzXuh9f5_9t7GFTP51Ej6rg4sTiAdz1XiPfixrzepLIo-R2EWjmQevOjjttg32Od9kbl8zlP1MZpJdzeyWQNx5A_FOmWtOj_CrawLXDWRcI_OhzDSzBZ_dcWL0tiS5JitFGbI6gWG/s320/christmaspost3.PNG" width="204" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Walmart.com)</span></span></b></div>
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This
is where I tell you that this bubble bath stuff is $50 but totally
worth it. Because you can't find the cheap kind that can do what the
expensive kind does. Fortunately that's all a lie. I got this at Walmart
for a few bucks. I've seriously been using it every other night and
there are no words to describe how amazing it is! It has a subtle scent of lavender, which is great for relaxing. The best thing about the scent, though is that I can add some essential oils and the aromas won't clash together. After I'm out of the
bath, I'll be in my pajamas relaxing for the night and I can actually
feel myself glowing. Do you know what that feels like? To FEEL yourself
glowing? It's what I imagine heaven to feel like haha. I always felt
like bubble bath stuff was all created pretty equal. I was wrong. They
are not all created equal. The cheapo stuff at Walmart is far better
than anything I have ever tried (and I have tried a LOT). </div>
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<a href="https://www.marykay.com/lpowell2045/en-us/products/body-and-sun/fragrancefree-satin-hands-pampering-set-300530?pageVar=you%20may%20also%20like"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Satin Hands Cream (fragrance free)</b></span></a> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">$1</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A_kyMuLdIyt7pfVofY5Fl7pGNl0DLJ3WnoEmPlFSfzwMmZm_n1UEeX1xYa2rjrYOjnHvtfmPgqsolQTmd60u_jvkWjTnb0jK1Km273kbPAD_LYId37r5RNRED1gtqHDBU430xE1YaKwj/s1600/christmaspost4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5A_kyMuLdIyt7pfVofY5Fl7pGNl0DLJ3WnoEmPlFSfzwMmZm_n1UEeX1xYa2rjrYOjnHvtfmPgqsolQTmd60u_jvkWjTnb0jK1Km273kbPAD_LYId37r5RNRED1gtqHDBU430xE1YaKwj/s400/christmaspost4.PNG" width="193" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="http://funsizebeauty.blogspot.com/">funsizebeauty.blogspot.com</a></span></span></div>
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Yeah
I went to one of those Mary Kay parties and I couldn't even handle how
ridiculous this lotion was. If you've ever gone to bath& body works
and used their salt scrub at the little sinks and felt your soft hands
after, that's basically what this lotion does. However, this lotion is a
little more intense and it lasts through 3 washes! It seriously feels
like you're massaging a creamy satin into your hands. It's so luxurious!
I got a couple for my girls stockings because they immediately switched
to high maintenance status after trying it and can't function without
it. It doesn't look like Mary Kay allows you to buy it without the pampering set with it? However, if you find a Mary Kay consultant (a quick Facebook post asking for help will do fine), she may have sample sizes on hand that you can buy for cheap. I was able to get the ones for my girls for $1 and it's a good size. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Slipper socks <span style="font-size: x-large;">$10</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQONA-9PCRkEsPiuC5w6ARBq4JMugoJ_HsLm8Fk11LkTFkMCjp06yTuBkmEtIVd2gM23sJmYij_L7l_TGSTeEyIigjHuK6XzbwmHQSg3itp5He4E0fMSjI-w7dQKoNDfK3xsBa9klNi7v/s1600/christmaspost8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQONA-9PCRkEsPiuC5w6ARBq4JMugoJ_HsLm8Fk11LkTFkMCjp06yTuBkmEtIVd2gM23sJmYij_L7l_TGSTeEyIigjHuK6XzbwmHQSg3itp5He4E0fMSjI-w7dQKoNDfK3xsBa9klNi7v/s400/christmaspost8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Sources: Target.com and Aliexpress.com)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> </div>
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I
don't remember where I found these. They may have been a gift. Let me
tell you, slipper socks are the best invention for cold feet! They feel
soft and cozy like a slipper (better than a slipper in my opinion), but
are practical to walk in. Their grippy bottoms are slip resistant
(unlike your average sock), and they're not bulky or awkward like a
slipper. You can curl up on the couch without a giant foot in the way or
worrying about the slipper falling off. I wear my slipper socks all day
inside the house (and outside the house on a few occasions if I'm being
honest. Don't judge me!) </div>
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There are so many different kinds of slipper socks these days. These particular ones are found <a href="http://www.target.com/p/charlotte-women-s-crochet-slipper-socks/-/A-51656064">here</a> and <a href="https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-Spring-summer-South-Korea-national-style-Pure-color-small-shadow-flower-woman-s-socks-female/32621679617.html?spm=2114.40010308.4.2.5Vnvit">here. </a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.target.com/p/threshold-sweater-knit-blanket/-/A-14151645">Threshold Blanket</a> <span style="font-size: x-large;">$32</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Lwh6MKzFhuVr6eXoxKzg2TK6-sNOFSJAXWTXjh18az-NDQdy-rfwr2v0EFYTJmq1tC_fI5QENbECtoKURm8B7VLfw0F4bPOOnVa0B0RzO7k-TY38YVAtXd1XBxHQE8Uz7NLQtVLMxDQt/s1600/christmaspost1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Lwh6MKzFhuVr6eXoxKzg2TK6-sNOFSJAXWTXjh18az-NDQdy-rfwr2v0EFYTJmq1tC_fI5QENbECtoKURm8B7VLfw0F4bPOOnVa0B0RzO7k-TY38YVAtXd1XBxHQE8Uz7NLQtVLMxDQt/s640/christmaspost1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image Source: Target.com)</span></div>
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Now, I am about 70% positive that the blanket in the picture and link is the same one. I can't quite tell because of how it's folded, but I'm pretty sure that's the one. I
bought this blanket on a whim because it was on clearance at Target. I
got it for super cheap not expecting a whole lot out of it but I needed a
good throw blanket for my bed. It's been almost a year and this blanket
has gotten A LOT of use! It is perfectly soft, perfectly sized to be
wrapped up (it kind of just molds around your body) and perfectly warm.
My husband doesn't really care for.... well, anything warm really. But
he especially has never been one to say, "I need a blanket," aside from
bed time. But he has been grabbing this blanket to snuggle me with
almost every night during our shows. That is saying a lot! It's
literally the perfect blanket. </div>
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<a href="http://www.target.com/p/lindt-lindor-milk-chocolate-peppermint-cookie-6oz/-/A-51313577?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Grocery+Essentials+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=s&device=c&location=9029486&gclid=COT0tvr259ACFZRgfgodMH0I4w&gclsrc=aw.ds"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Peppermint Cookie Milk Chocolate Truffles</b></span></a> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>$5 </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12BTOn4KsWSx8SNpnUQquLZSM7LjZdzYkVw_cc90d3wFtIeRQMT_wnII-pL-8Jr42yMFmqwkB_1PMHH8TPBBF4AAd7wQs7K9jxS6Bi0x0n4BFu4BnpiJooeO8l_0tf9x0ZBw7XNxNTeUO/s1600/christmaspost9.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12BTOn4KsWSx8SNpnUQquLZSM7LjZdzYkVw_cc90d3wFtIeRQMT_wnII-pL-8Jr42yMFmqwkB_1PMHH8TPBBF4AAd7wQs7K9jxS6Bi0x0n4BFu4BnpiJooeO8l_0tf9x0ZBw7XNxNTeUO/s400/christmaspost9.PNG" width="260" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>(Image Source: Target.com) </b></span></div>
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These
are freakin hard to find. I'm just saying that straight up. So far,
I've only found them at Target. I'm not sure if they are only for the
holidays or if they will keep selling them after Christmas. They are not
your average mint or peppermint chocolate flavor. Oh no. These may as
well be wrapped in gold and handled with gloves. They are far too
precious and delicious to be thrown into the "average" category. You
might actually drop to the floor after biting into one of these. After
the shock has worn off, you'll be able to finish it, slowly, savoring
every tiny second. The best way I can describe them is like girl scout
thin mint cookies on crack. They are just so much more than what I could
have ever imagined or describe. Their texture is on another level somehow, too. I
allow myself exactly ONE every night after the kids are tucked in and
I'm done for the day. I ration these suckers like a crazy person. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Once Upon a Time (free with a Netflix account)</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcGMHOEUOBjIGRANMetkv-wOZC2pTcJW3OikgE0hFF66EBalGSMT0_NKNAocKGhB08NKnfgbPRwBuQDbM9aHFIAJpFmm55zCOe5CjoYZkofXGk3UfMJaBTlZW7R3stnuQPi0rxm-3Kye8/s1600/christmaspost10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcGMHOEUOBjIGRANMetkv-wOZC2pTcJW3OikgE0hFF66EBalGSMT0_NKNAocKGhB08NKnfgbPRwBuQDbM9aHFIAJpFmm55zCOe5CjoYZkofXGk3UfMJaBTlZW7R3stnuQPi0rxm-3Kye8/s640/christmaspost10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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(Image Source: starsandsplats.wordpress.com)</div>
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I'm definitely
late discovering this show. My best friend suggested it to me so I
turned it on one day during my son's nap while my older kids were at
school. It was not at ALL what I was expecting. So I kept watching. My
husband got into it, too and before I knew it we were watching it every
night. We have shows we really love, but we need a good show we both like
that we can have on while the kids are trying to fall asleep. Our TV is
in another room of course, but I swear, no matter how quiet the volume
is, there are words that somehow stand out like it's at full volume! We just want to relax without, "oh crap, do you think they heard
that? Are they asleep yet?" Once
Upon a Time is pretty perfect for that. Our kids will walk out for
their tenth drink or needing to use the bathroom or whatever, and they
just see some fairy tale character being totally appropriate as they
walk by. I will say that halfway through season 2 to halfway through
season 3 it was only "pretty good" instead of really good or great. But
it has been so much fun to watch! I highly recommend it. </div>
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So
here you go. I have created the perfect evening. Warm your lady up with the worlds best chicken noodle soup. Then, she gets to smooth on that
Glam glow mask, hop into a nice bubble bath, massage some Satin Hands
on, slip into her jammies with warm slipper socks and crash on the
couch with the worlds best blanket as she savors a delicious truffle and
zone out to Once Upon a Time. If I could recommend the best day to do this? It would be Christmas Day, after a long day of keeping up with crazy kids, disaster zones in every corner and being up late the night before with an early morning of jumpy, hyper kids. Good luck to you and Merry Christmas!</div>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-23054031470519601722016-10-28T12:27:00.000-07:002016-10-28T12:27:03.049-07:00Pretzel Bites<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay these pretzels from <a href="http://www.theslowroasteditalian.com/search?q=pretzel+bites&x=0&y=0">The Slow Roasted Italian</a> are the BOMB! They were unbelievably easy to make but have the quality of "mall pretzel bites.......but BETTER!" (as said by my kids) They don't feel or taste like you just cut up some dough and put them in the oven. They are amazing! My only regret is that I only made one batch. It was enough for our family of 4 ( and a half if you count the little guy who hate maybe 3 and then focused on his chips), but we all were kind of sad that they were gone so I would have loved to have some leftovers! Oh, the best part? You don't need to wait for the dough to rise.<br />
<br />
I read a few recipes for pretzel bites and read through comments. I saw a lot of people complaining of their second or third batches coming out with a really bitter taste to them. Everyone seemed to conclude that it must have been because they put their pretzel bites into the baking soda bath, baked them in the oven, and then put the next round of pretzel bites into the baking soda bath (rather than having all of the bites in the baking soda bath without long waiting times between more being added into the bath).<br />
<br />
So, in my directions I have you getting all of your pretzel bites in and out of the baking soda bath before you bake any of the them. They all turned out great, so who knows if waiting to put in other batches later on causes a bitter taste.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnrfGnvWmiCYGYBZSxHsGhlkBXp7naK5ZLvJshUkxm3K0TxhK4GP3XSTYSOC3jX4I_3zJOLkAVovq_3kFasR-RhojWUmJe0MRJVltIkEMgi2fYfKwVtQy1eVUya3k3B-JD1Y3JvGzwG3B/s1600/Pretzel+bites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnrfGnvWmiCYGYBZSxHsGhlkBXp7naK5ZLvJshUkxm3K0TxhK4GP3XSTYSOC3jX4I_3zJOLkAVovq_3kFasR-RhojWUmJe0MRJVltIkEMgi2fYfKwVtQy1eVUya3k3B-JD1Y3JvGzwG3B/s640/Pretzel+bites.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>What you will need:</b><br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast</li>
<li>1 1/4 C warm milk (110*-120*)</li>
<li>2 T honey or sugar</li>
<li>3 1/4 C flour</li>
<li>1 tsp. salt</li>
<li>1/2 C baking soda</li>
<li>8 quart pot of water</li>
<li>1 egg, beaten with 2 tsp. cold water</li>
</ul>
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<b>Directions:</b></div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Preheat oven to 450*</li>
<li>Warm your milk up and pour into the bowl of a stand mixer</li>
<li>Sprinkle the yeast into the milk</li>
<li>Add the sugar to feed the yeast</li>
<li>Let the yeast get nice and foamy, about ten minutes</li>
<li>Once the yeast is ready, add in the salt and mix together with the paddle attachment</li>
<li>Add in the flour, one cup at a time. You want the dough to be tacky but not sticky. (I ended up with 3 cups and 3 tablespoons)</li>
<li>Once your dough is ready, replace the paddle attachment with a dough hook and knead for about 3 minutes</li>
<li>While that's kneading, spray your counter top lightly with some non stick spray. Using flour will make the dough too difficult to work with</li>
<li>Turn your dough out onto the counter and divide (I just used a pizza cutter) into quarters. </li>
<li>Start boiling your 8 quart pot of water</li>
<li>Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with non stick spray, set aside.</li>
<li>Beat one egg with 2 tsp cold water, set aside</li>
<li>Grab one of the dough quarters and divide that piece into 4 more pieces</li>
<li>Roll out each of those 4 pieces gently until you can cut at least 4 pretzel bite size pieces from it</li>
<li>Continue on with the rest of the dough, you should end up with at least 64 pretzel bites</li>
<li>Carefully add the baking soda into the boiling water</li>
<li>Dump a bunch of the pretzel bites into the boiling water and let it sit for about 20 seconds</li>
<li>Remove with a spatula or slotted spoon of some kind and place onto the baking sheet</li>
<li>Do this with all of the pretzel bites until they have all been in the baking soda bath </li>
<li>Brush pretzel bites with egg wash and add kosher salt</li>
<li>Bake for about 15 minutes (mine were done after 10)</li>
</ul>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-78229584613709726222016-10-12T16:16:00.001-07:002016-10-12T16:43:40.978-07:00Celebrating 100!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqftputtYn9ECN-QKLZjtQZwh7WyOdCNBeyFycmYXPGCW-fFNvk1rHWB93UO_PWnhTwzLDRlze7YdWjIFTpA0DI7HhuOBDSTo7UK2tx9cQcvE4_fFcBURPqCDghex6PdD95PwBHBLyrLam/s1600/100likes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqftputtYn9ECN-QKLZjtQZwh7WyOdCNBeyFycmYXPGCW-fFNvk1rHWB93UO_PWnhTwzLDRlze7YdWjIFTpA0DI7HhuOBDSTo7UK2tx9cQcvE4_fFcBURPqCDghex6PdD95PwBHBLyrLam/s640/100likes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The wonderful <a href="http://hotcookinmama1.blogspot.com/2016/08/homemade-brownies.html">brownie recipe my daughter made</a> reached 100 likes on my Instagram the other day. She just feels so totally psyched. 100 is a huge number for her, and she really doesn't know much about Instagram or how likes work, but it was worth celebrating! We got some ice cream and she celebrated by...what else...making the brownies! I also did a cute little interview with my mini baker.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QRxdN_m9gYxxqUSU9TBarVj_axsYXhOcnhuKFrKWCEOhm_xzQJePOxr2yS7LthsHoGSYeNXlsAxs9esa42bXGNpubmP1oX0t16TF_TFAB8TI4zWRiOhsi-9NfkCqjNdjPKV7JGWhYSSa/s1600/IMG_20161012_165003523_HDR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QRxdN_m9gYxxqUSU9TBarVj_axsYXhOcnhuKFrKWCEOhm_xzQJePOxr2yS7LthsHoGSYeNXlsAxs9esa42bXGNpubmP1oX0t16TF_TFAB8TI4zWRiOhsi-9NfkCqjNdjPKV7JGWhYSSa/s640/IMG_20161012_165003523_HDR2.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
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<b>Why did you get interested in baking?</b><br />
I watched Kids Baking Championship and thought that I could probably be a baker.<br />
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<b>What other interests do you have besides baking?</b><br />
Art! And I like Math. I also like Halloween, like October. FALL! And I like to read Harry Potter.<br />
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<b>Do you like to cook, too?</b><br />
I cook.....ramen. It kind of gets me over my fear of (stove/oven) heat.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>How do you feel about the fact that Hot Cookin' Mama has never reached 100 "likes" on an Instagram post before now?</b><br />
*giggle*. I'm pretty impressed that I could make it that far!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Let's talk brownies. What is your biggest tip for someone who wants to try this brownie recipe?</b><br />
It's simple enough that you don't have to need any tips ya know? Try it with your favorite ice cream!<br />
<br />
<b>What dessert do you want to master next?</b><br />
Cookies! Pumpkin chocolate chip.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Is this something you hope to do professionally? What do you want to be when you grow up?</b><br />
Actually it kind of is. I really like baking and I'm thinking I want to try things to become a baker. Or a teacher.<br />
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<b>What would you say to other kids who are thinking about giving baking a try?</b><br />
You should try it and if you don't like it you should try it again.</div>
Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1551265040316658680.post-4639166379733940252016-10-11T11:19:00.000-07:002016-10-11T11:19:41.634-07:00Explaining Santa's Gifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We're approaching the big holiday season. Already. I'm still trying to get a nap in from last years Christmas. But, ready or not, it's coming. Are you prepared?! Your kids are older this year, and just might give you a run for your money with the Santa questions.<br />
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Every Christmas, we see parents all over trying to teach their kids the importance of giving, service and kindness. We see them doing their best to add a child in need to their Christmas list to be a good example. We bake cookies for neighbors, we drop off a turkey anonymously to a family's doorstep that we know is struggling financially.<br />
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But, when a child asks, "why doesn't Santa go to the homeless shelter?" Or, "why can't I ask for this $500 gift from Santa?" what do we say? That Santa picks and chooses which kids to visit, and that he also has a budget? Santa has RULES? Where's the fun in that?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BmWWPdEw_wPG1kL-PtcDYgiiSL_96hGuXn-QKswl1s5UnvpSV81ADOKvU_vt4STfAgL0NhYQrOgMq9CmwQ0QiFI3ZhQcfQ__m1aAsF_c8BqIIcQMLgBPrOe6_fnLTvpZIn4yms7R42my/s1600/santasgifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BmWWPdEw_wPG1kL-PtcDYgiiSL_96hGuXn-QKswl1s5UnvpSV81ADOKvU_vt4STfAgL0NhYQrOgMq9CmwQ0QiFI3ZhQcfQ__m1aAsF_c8BqIIcQMLgBPrOe6_fnLTvpZIn4yms7R42my/s400/santasgifts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
While there are plenty of great churchy and inspiring ways to deal with things like this where you can sit down with your children and give a lengthy and perfectly worded explanation, sometimes you need just a few words to get your point across. The best words I've ever heard someone say to their kids when these questions started popping up was,..<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"Yeah, Santa brings the gifts, but Mom and Dad still have to pay for it."</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know there are many families out there who don't do the Santa thing, and that's okay. Every family is different, so if you're a family who cherishes those few years where your kids still believe in Santa and you don't want to break down saying, "Santa isn't real" when they ask the tough questions, this might be what you're looking for! These few words allow the magic of Santa to continue on while allowing some reality to the situation to be factored in. </div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Children can grasp the ideas of some families having a larger budget than others. That's life, and they're typically already aware of it before anyone ever actually brings it up to them. Simply stating that Mom's and Dad's are still in charge of paying for their Christmas even when Santa and his helpers do all the work connects so many dots for them!</div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
A family in need is still a family in need, even when Santa is involved. A $500 toy is still a $500 toy, even when Santa is involved. This answer might not be what you were looking for or work for your kids. If not, that's okay. There are plenty of other ways you can talk to your kids about these things. But for our family, it has worked great! </div>
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Hot Cookin' Mamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906407163111283091noreply@blogger.com0