September 2014 – Makin' it Mo'Betta

Pumpkin…everything!

Kim

I’m sure you’ve gotten the memo…it’s Fall y’all. I’m not sure where the summer went, but it’s G-O-N-E. I actually had to break out a jacket yesterday for my Little Man’s soccer game. As far as I am concerned, the only good things about cooler temps is the “let’s make everything pumpkin” craze. And it’s in full force…and I’m ridin’ that train baby! Pumpkin Pie yogurt – YES, Pumpkin Spice Oreos – haven’t found them yet, but looking! Pumpkin Lattes – YES! And the list goes on (and on. and on…). So, I decided we needed a pumpkin round up! Here goes…pumpkin everything!

Pumpkin Spice Cake

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal or
Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal or
Pumpkin Pie Quinoa or
Overnight Pumpkin Oats – What can I say? I have a thing for pumpkin and grains!

Honey Pumpkin Muffins or
Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spiced Scones

Baked Pumpkin French Toast {egg free}

Vegan Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

Pumpkin Spiced Gingerbread Granola

Brown Sugar Pumpkin Cheesecake

Easy Pumpkin Beer Bread or
Pumpkin Cornbread or
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread or
Pumpkin Yeast Bread or
Spiced Pumpkin Biscuits

Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix

And a little story on how to NOT roast pumpkin seeds.

Are you a pumpkin fan?

Monte Cristo Waffle Sandwiches for #BreakfastNight {#GIVEAWAY, #sponsored}

Kim

Did you know that September is National Breakfast Month? It’s pretty well documented on the blog here that I love breakfast food, and that we do breakfast for dinner. A lot. We aren’t the only ones… In a national survey, found that nine out of ten (91 percent) Americans say they eat breakfast for dinner, with 56 percent doing so once a month or more. For families with children in the house, the trend is even more prevalent as 67 percent say they have breakfast for dinner once a month or more. With that in mind, Krusteaz has declared Wednesdays as ““. It totally works for me!

With all the sports activities my kids have going on right now, dinner needs to be pretty quick and easy. That’s one of the reasons why I love doing “breakfast suppers”. When I can find shortcuts, like using Krusteaz pancake and waffle mixes, well I’m all over that too. Last Wednesday we made pancakes and Belgian waffles using Krusteaz mixes. Two kids ate pancakes, while Number One and I had these Monte Cristo Waffle Sandwiches. I made mine into a Monte Cristo – which is basically combining everything fabulous into one sandwich…it’s a French Toast/Belgian Waffle/Cheesy/Meaty/Sweet and Savory combo.

Monte Cristo Waffle Sandwich

2 servings

*Prepared waffles (My waffles were about 8 inches, so I used two and cut them in half; if you are using small 4 inch waffles, then you will need 4 of them)

4 slices Swiss cheese

1/4 pound thin sliced ham

1/4 pound thin sliced turkey

6 slices cooked bacon

cranberry sauce (the canned kind works great for this…can also use fruit preserves instead)

Dijon mustard (optional)

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Pam cooking spray or butter

*We made waffles with

Heat a griddle, panini press or George Foreman (this is what I used).
Combine eggs, milk and cinnamon (if using) in a large, shallow bowl.
Dip one waffle (or one half) into egg mixture, flipping to coat each side.
Place waffle on greased or sprayed griddle and top with 2 slices of cheese, 1/2 the ham and turkey, 3 slices of bacon, and top with thin slices of cranberry sauce or a tablespoon of jam/preserves and desired amount of mustard (if using).
Dip second waffle (or half) into egg mixture, coat both sides, and place on top of meat/cheese.
Close top if using a panini press or George Foreman and let cook until top is lightly browned and crisp. If using skillet or griddle, cook one side until browned and set, then flip to cook other side.
Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Recipe Source: Makin’ it Mo’Betta and

Looking for other quick and easy breakfast night options?

Pancake and Sausage Muffins

Easy Oven Pancakes – mix up your favorite pancake mix and pour into a baking pan and bake….no standing and flipping!

For the GIVEAWAY, Krusteaz would like to help you make Breakfast Night a tradition in your house too! They have agreed to provide one Makin’ it Mo’Betta reader with:

Buttermilk Pancake Mix (1)
Blueberry Pancake Mix (1)
Belgian Waffle Mix (1)
Wild Blueberry Muffin Mix (1)
Krusteaz coupons for free product.

Entering is simple via the Rafflecopter form below. {US Residents only}

Krusteaz provided me with the above pictured products and coupons (not pictured) so I could host my own ‘Breakfast Night’. All opinions and love of breakfast food are my own.

Butter Pecan Ice Cream {Traditional & Paleo Versions} w/cookbook review

Kim

I know some people are already into sweater weather, but here, we are still running the A/C, ceiling fans, having outdoor barbeques and eating ice cream! Of course, I don’t know about you, but I will pretty much eat ice cream year round. That’s what blankets are for! Seriously, I couldn’t let it get too far into Fall without sharing this yummy, homemade Butter Pecan Ice Cream.

I have just two words for you….butter….and cream. Oh my. However, if you do not eat cream for whatever reason, do not fret…I have an equally decadent version for you too! Just hang with me a minute!

I made this a few weeks ago for my Dad’s birthday. It’s one of his favorite ice cream flavors (along with pineapple) and it was actually my first time EVER trying Butter Pecan! I can’t believe I have been missing out all these years! I’m such a chocolate freak, that it never occurred to me that I might actually like this. It’s creamy and slightly buttery – so much more than just vanilla, which is what I have always thought it was. It tasted like frozen sweetened condensed milk with toasted pecans. I happen to L-O-V-E sweetened condensed milk.

Homemade Butter Pecan Ice Cream

*This recipe makes 2 quarts

2/3 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoon butter
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups half-and-half cream
2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a skillet over medium heat, toast pecans in butter until lightly browned and fragrant, stirring constantly, about 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside.
Whisk eggs in a mixing bowl; set aside.
In a saucepan, combine brown sugar with half and half , mix well. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, once boiling, remove from heat.
Temper the eggs by slowing adding in a 1/4 cup of hot milk/sugar mixture into the eggs while whisking constantly. Once you have added about a cup of hot mixture and eggs are warm, add eggs/milk into saucepan, put back on the heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens. Once it coats the back of a spoon, remove from heat and stir in cream, vanilla, and pecans.
Allow mixture to cool (I place mine in the fridge overnight)
Once cooled, pour into ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturers’ directions.

Recipe adapted from

Yes, this recipe is a little fussier than my usual, but it wasn’t difficult and the results were definitely worth it! This ice cream was nice and thick and creamy! Sweet cream and butter toasted pecans…yum.

Now, for you Paleo folks, I haven’t forgotten about you! I received this great little cookbook a while back and I was amazed at the variety of Paleo ice creams that you can easily make with just a few ingredients! It’s appropriately titled, and authored by . So if you thought ice cream was a thing of the past since you went paleo, then think again! This book has 75 different recipes, ranging from the traditional – like this Butter Pecan or the unusual – like Cucumber Mint or the most fabulous sounding Maple Chocolate Bacon Ice Cream. It’s more than just ice cream too, I can’t wait to try the recipes for Brownies, Caramel and Cookie Dough – just to name a few. And yes, they are all paleo! My only slightly negative comment regarding the book is the lack of pictures. {What am I, five?!} What can I say, I like to see what I’m cooking is supposed to look like!

Butter Pecan Ice Cream

*reprinted with permission from the cookbook Paleo Ice Cream

YIELD: About 1 quart 

1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk

4 tablespoons honey 

1⁄4 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional)

6 tablespoons butter 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

2 egg yolks 

1 1⁄2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk, honey, xanthan gum (if using), butter, and vanilla extract. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes. Set aside.

2. In a heat-safe bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they reach a fluffy consistency. Add a small ladle of the warm mixture and stir until combined. Continue adding the warm mixture, one ladle at a time, until it’s completely mixed into the egg yolks. Don’t add too much of the warm mixture at once or you may end up with scrambled eggs!

3. Cover the mixture and refrigerate until completely chilled (about 8 hours or up to 2 days).

4. Freeze the mixture in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Sprinkle in pecans just as your ice cream finishes hardening and enjoy! If you don’t plan on serving the ice cream immediately, transfer to a freezer-proof container and freeze up to 1 week (or 2 months if you use xanthan gum and place a layer of plastic wrap on the surface of the ice cream). To serve, remove from freezer and let sit about 15 minutes, or until desired texture is reached.

Any of you following a Paleo Diet? I’ve been interested in learning more about it. I know I would benefit from reducing my carbohydrate intake. It’s just sooo hard!

*I received the Paleo Ice Cream cookbook for review. No compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

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“I can not tell a lie” or can you?! Talking Honesty w/our Kids – #GIVEAWAY #HTHonesty #sponsored

Kim

The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Right? Isn’t that what we tell our kids? But then do they hear us tell someone “oh, I’m so sorry I can’t volunteer for xyz, I have a (made up) appointment” or “Oh, I love what you’ve done with your hair” just to turn around and tell someone how bad it looks. I mean seriously, haven’t we all told little white lies here and there? Please tell me I am not the only one who has been in a situation like that (because that will really make me feel like I have earned the Lousy Mother Award). Kids learn what they live. That’s a scary thought sometimes. So, how do we instill the values we want in our children? How do we begin those important discussions about things like honesty? First, as parents, if we are going to talk the talk, we need to walk the walk. {I’m trying, really, I am!} Second, we can open up discussions with our children. This can sometimes be difficult…especially depending on the child’s age. (I have a 13 yr old. ‘Nuff said.)

That’s why I am excited to share this new line of children’s books called The Principles of Our World, from . They are designed to help parents reinforce the importance of things like Honesty, Courage, Teamwork and more. I think it’s important to start these discussions early, and continue to reinforce them as they get older. My 6 y/o has just started recently with telling little lies like “yes, I brushed my teeth” when he didn’t. So this book came at a great time so we could talk more about our family values and review different scenarios before he is faced with them.

I really like the way the books are laid out..they are broken down into chapters, and each chapter gives a real-life situation in which the person has to decide the best course of action. The following is from the above pictured book Principle of Honesty…

As I reviewed the situations in each chapter, I would stop and ask what he would do in that particular situation before reading the resolution. It opened up some great discussion about how we always have a choice to make, and how important it is to make the right one. Honesty really is the best policy. And what about when we, as parents, screw up?! Well, for me, the best option is to fess up. Just say straight up…I made the wrong choice, I should have done this or that, and try to make it right. Kids are faced with all kinds of situations, and even though we try to arm them with the values and education they need, they are going to make mistakes along the way. So, they need to learn about taking responsibility for bad decisions. I always tell my kids ‘you did/said it, now own it’. If you do it, stand behind it or admit why it was wrong. It’s better to face it and get through it than to try to hide or ignore it.

GIVEAWAY –

Are you interested in viewing the Principles of Our World book series? They are great for parents or teachers who would like to read them to children (ages 4+) or for young, independent readers (ages 7+). I think they are a great resource to have, because really, can we have too much help raising children?!

Just enter via this

The giveaway will run through October 3, 2014.

Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Harvest Time and I received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Banfield Pet Hospital, My Fur Baby & a #GIVEAWAY {#sponsored}

Kim

Disclosure – I was provided with Banfield’s Optimum Wellness Plan® and ProHeart® 6, by Banfield Pet Hospital, which has also provided the information and giveaway. The dog and opinions expressed are my own 😉

Even though I primarily talk about food and my kids, every once in a while I share stuff about my fur babies as well. Today I wanted to share with you my most spoiled rotten little dog…

Talk about a mess. This dog is completely spoiled and an absolute lap dog. Unless his Rottweiler personality takes over….then he is ferocious (so he thinks). He is part of our family and we love his little demanding self dearly. That’s why his health is very important, and heartworm prevention is at the top of that list.

That’s where Banfield Pet Hospital comes in. If you have pets, you know vet visits can get pretty expensive; especially if you have one like Currituck here, who at 6 months old had to have emergency surgery due to an intestinal blockage because he eats EVERYTHING. (Story for another day!) Banfield is the only pet hospital that I’ve come across that has an Optimum Wellness Plan®. With their plans, office visits are FREE and I was shocked (and pleased) at everything that is included under the plans. Many include annual which can be administered during a routine office visit. (Go here – to learn more about the plans offered.) Plans can be customized based on the needs of the individual pet, and combine physical exams, routinely recommended vaccinations and screenings, unlimited free office visits, service discounts and more into one affordable veterinary care package.

Banfield believes in preventive veterinary care as the best way to improve the quality and longevity of a pet’s life by reducing the risk of developing serious, costly and sometimes fatal diseases (such as heartworm disease). I can’t say that my dog sings the praises of Banfield as much as I do. He has a lot of anxiety when at the vet (or when anything disrupts his regular routine!)

But I have to say the veterinarian and her technician did a great job at making him as comfortable as possible. He absolutely hates getting his nails trimmed, to the point that I don’t even attempt it at home anymore. They snuggled him in a blanket and worked together to get the job done. Even when he acted like he was going to take someone’s hand off!

His ‘pedicure’. (That’s how it was listed on the receipt! Made me laugh.)

This was one of the best parts of the entire visit. Not that he had a shot, but the fact that the ONE shot provides SIX MONTHS of heartworm prevention! It’s called ProHeart® 6 and is an injectable heartworm preventive that can be prescribed to healthy dogs over the age of 6 months and delivers six months of protection in a single dose. I LOVE this because now I don’t have to think about it for SIX months!

Having to remember to give the dogs their other heartworm pill every month was a source of stress for me, because it was just one more (very important!) thing I had to keep up with. ProHeart® 6 can protect dogs from dangerous heartworm disease by preventing immature worms from maturing into adults that cause damage in the pet’s heart. Treatment of heartworm disease is difficult and painful for the dog, as well as expensive for the pet owner. (Just remember that before a pet can start on heartworm preventive, he/she needs to be tested to make sure they are free of adult heartworms, this is done through a quick, simple blood test.) If interested, here is a video on .

**If you are interested in trying ProHeart® 6, here is a to a coupon for $10 off a 6-month injectable heartworm preventive. Also, if you would like to request an Banfield Pet Hospital appointment online, go .

GIVEAWAY time!

Banfield Pet Hospital has agreed to provide one giveaway winner with a free office visit at their nearest Banfield Pet Hospital for their dog to receive a free heartworm test and free 6-months of Proheart® 6. (You and your dog just need to be a U.S. resident and have a physical mailing address, no P.O. boxes). That would save you a good chunk of cash that you can spend on something else. Like chew toys. Or dog food. Or sweaters 🙂

Just enter via the rafflecopter form!

One last thing –

Banfield will donate $1 per reader comment (up to 100 comments) to (once the giveaway has concluded). Banfield Charitable Trust is a donor-supported non-profit whose mission it is to preserve the human animal bond by keeping pets with their families who love them. Each year, BCT helps 100,000 struggling families through seven programs ranging from life-saving emergency care to assistance with pet food or other urgent pet care needs.

Copycat Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark

Kim

If you have not visited a Trader Joe’s grocery store, then you may not be familiar with their ‘Cowboy Bark’.

I have no idea why it’s named that, but I can tell you that it’s pretty darn awesome. It has that sweet and salty combo that I loooovveee. Luv. Lurve. Just imagine (or read on the above package) – dark chocolate, loaded with toffee, pretzels, chocolate sandwich cookies, peanuts, almonds and a little salt. Holla. (Anyone else watching Big Brother?!)

This is SO easy to make at home, and as you can see, the girls and I loaded our chocolate down with toppings. That’s the great thing about making this at home, you can be as generous with the toppings as you like. You can also substitute ingredients to whatever you like best or have on hand.

The only difference is that I used Oreo’s instead of Joe’s O’s and I used Heath Bar pieces instead of just plain toffee pieces, because, seriously…can you have too much chocolate?

Copycat Trader Joe’s Cowboy Bark

1 lb. dark chocolate (I used , it’s not bitter at all!)

10 chocolate sandwich cookies, roughly chopped

1/2 cup pretzel pieces

1/2 cup Heath toffee bits

1/2 cup chopped peanuts and almonds

sea salt, for sprinkling – too taste

*measurements are approximates – you may want more or less, and there was an awful lot of ‘sampling’ going on while my girls helped me make this!

Have your cookies, pretzels, toffee, and nuts chopped and ready for placement on the bark
Line a baking dish, plastic container or cookie sheet with parchment paper or plastic wrap

*I used a plastic container that was a little too small and my bark came out a bit thicker than I wanted. I would recommend a cookie sheet, then you can spread it out to your desired thickness

Melt chocolate per instructions on bag/bar/etc.
Pour melted chocolate on parchment paper and spread to desired thickness.
While chocolate is hot, quickly add cookie and pretzel pieces. Then sprinkle on toffee, peanuts and a little sea salt.
Allow chocolate to set. (I placed mine in the fridge for a few minutes)
Break into pieces and enjoy your copycat creation!

Chocoley sent me a sampling of their products to try. No compensation was received for posting.

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