Streusel Topped Blueberry Muffins

OK, so I missed it. Yesterday was National Blueberry Day, who knew????  It just so happens that I have an extra pint of blueberries I was gonna freeze for blueberry pancakes, but this recipe sounded so good that Mason and I will be making these later on today!

Here is a recipe from Taste of the South via Recipe.com.

For the Cinnamon Crumble:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• Scant 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 ounces (1/4 cup) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Streusel Topping

• 1/2 cup sugar or
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tablespoons butter

Streusel Topping or Cinnamon Crumble: In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 12 cups blueberries, washed and dried
• 1 recipe Streusel Topping or Cinnamon Crumble

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour an 18-cup muffin pan; set aside. (I actually used muffin liners for this job).

• In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

• In a small bowl, combine milk, sour cream, butter, and eggs; add to flour mixture, stirring just until combined. Gently fold in blueberries.

• Divide batter among cups of prepared pan. Sprinkle each muffin with Streusel Topping or Cinnamon Crumble.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan and let cool on wire racks.

• Enjoy!!!

Ice Age: Continental Drift Giveaway (Closed)

Everyone’s favorite pre-historic characters return in the new movie release Ice Age: Continental Drift, in theaters July 13th! This time Scrat, Diego, Sid and Manny embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift and they are separated from the rest of the herd. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they try to find their way back home.

McDonald’s latest Happy Meals feature 6 stylized characters, each atop an iceberg-shaped ship. Visit HappyMeal.com to find out more information PLUS play Scrat’s Acorn Adventure!

Be the hero of the herd! Pick up a Happy Meal today and get a special toy from Ice Age: Continental Drift. In theaters July 13!





Would you like to win an Ice Age: Continental Drift prize pack?
One (1) winner will receive: ·

1. All 6 Ice Age toys featured in the McDonald’s Happy Meals ·
2. PLUS 3 gift cards redeemable for Happy Meals!

Fill out the form below and enter to win!  The Giveaway will run from 7/9/12 at 9:00am EST until 7/18/12 at 9:00am EST.  The Giveaway is open to U.S. mailing addresses only.

Congratulations to Ellie W, winner of the Giveaway!  The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen!


Don't forget to visit the Ice Age sites!  You can ‘Like’ Ice Age on Facebook or Follow @IceAge on Twitter #IceAge .  Visit the official website to watch the trailer, play games & grab free downloads!


 Prizing & samples courtesy of McDonalds & Twentieth Century Fox.

Dapple Review

If you have been following my Blog, you know that I am always on the lookout for great, eco-friendly household products.  Ever since I was pregnant with Mason, I have either made my own household products or switched from products worth harsh chemicals to green cleaning.

Dapple is the newest green cleaning product line that I have fallen in love with.  "Dapple is a line of natural-based cleaning products for households with children. Dapple products are baby-safe and baby-specific -using non-toxic ingredients found in nature that are also proven to tackle unique baby cleaning challenges, from dried milk on bottles to sticky fingerprints on toys." 

Dapple has products for just about all your needs, including surface cleaner, automatic dishwasher gel, pacifier wipes, and fragrance free baby laundry detergent.  I tested the toy and surface wipes and the baby bottle and dish liquid.  I loved the refreshing scent of the toy and surface wipes.  This was perfect timing, as I am just pulling out Amanda's rattles, teethers, etc. They have been in storage since Mason used them and are in definite need of cleaning.  I usually throw most of the toys into a solution of bleach and water, but there are just some items that you can't clean this way.  These wipes were the perfect solution to this problem.  I feel good knowing that I can use these wipes on just about anything.  From toys to high chairs and tables, I feel like I am doing the best for my children to keep them away from harmful chemicals.

The baby bottle and dish liquid was AMAZING!  I was totally surprised how dirty the bottle nipples I had been using were.  I usually hand wash or, for that really thorough cleaning, run them through the sanitizing cycle on the dishwasher.  Each time I do this, however, it leaves a film or residue that does not readily come off.  The Dapple Bottle and Dish Liquid made the nipples shine like new.  Take a look for yourself. 

Why do I like Dapple products?  Dapple products are proudly made in the USA.  All Dapple products use natural-based ingredients that are environmentally-safe, biodegradable, and free of parabens, SLES, and phthalates, as well as synthetic dyes or fragrances. 

Dapple products like the Toy Surface Cleaner retail for $4.99 and the Dapple Bottle and Dish Liquid retails for $5.99.  Dapple products can be purchased at DappleBaby.com, Toysrus.com, Babies R Us stores nationwide, and Diapers.com.


Dapple provided me with the items above in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Zazzle Review

I never thought I would be so into dressing up Amanda.  But at 3 months old, she already has an arsenal of dresses, complete with matching headbands....not to mention the legwarmers, skirts, onsies, and shoes.  Even though she can't walk, a baby can never have too many tiny shoes!

I have been scouring the Internet for the latest and greatest, not to mention the cutest clothes I can find.  Have you checked out Zazzle.com yet?  Not only do they have adorable customizable clothes for your whole family, including your pet, they have just about anything you could think of, including key chains, hats, pillows, coasters, greeting cards, postcards, necklaces, ties, mugs, magnets..should I go on?

Since this will be Amanda's first 4th of July, I wanted to make sure she celebrated with the best of them!  I had so much fun going through the many pages of customizable onsies.  The only problem I had was narrowing down my choices.  As you can see, I chose a picture and wrote "'Lil Firecracker" to encompass her personality.  The onsie was soft and comfortable for her to wear.  The onsie was easy to slip over her head without any fussing.  She also had plenty of room around the legs, which is perfect so she can kick around freely.

Also, when you order from Zazzle.com, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.  "if you don't absolutely love it, they will take it back".  I loved the fast shipping provided, too.  I received my customized onsie in about 4 business days.

If you are looking for a gift for someone special or just want to personalize something special for yourself, Zazzle.com is the place to go. 


Thanks to Zazzle for providing me with the items above in order to facilitate this review.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Free 4th of July Printables and Activities

I can't believe the 4th of July is upon us already!  Wasn't it JUST Memorial Day?  Mason, Amanda and I have been keeping busy this Summer and we are loving the warm days.  On the hot days we stay inside and read or color.  Here are some perfect activities to keep the kids cool on these hot summer days!

Click HERE for free 4th of July printables from hp.com

Click HERE for free 4th of July printables including word searches and coloring pages from kaboose.com

Click HERE for free 4th of July printables from about.com

Click HERE for free 4th of July coloring pages from familyshoppingbag.com

Click HERE for free printable 4th of July stickers, 4th of July printables and patriotic printables from stickersandcharts.com

Click HERE for free 4th of July coloring pages from mes-english.com

Click HERE to make a pinwheel. Do this one in advance so you know how to make and twirl it. Kids love pinwheels. Can be used during the day for some red, white, and blue fun!

Click HERE Make a patriotic paper airplane. Free 4th of July printable red, white, and blue with stars. Just print the page out, make a cool looking paper airplane, and fly it high!

Click HERE for Iron-on transfers for T-shirts. Choose from a patriotic selection of eagles, flags, and more. Print out on iron-on transfer printer paper. Wear your new t-shirt on the 4^th of July!

Real Moms Love to Eat Review and Giveaway

Real Moms Love to Eat..that is an understatement!  I eat on the go, when I am bored, and especially when I am stressed out.  Although I didn't gain as much weight with my second pregnancy, I seem to be having a harder time losing the baby weight.  Granted, I am breastfeeding and I am 3 years older, so that all comes into play.  But, I also know that I am eating not as well as I should.  I feed Mason fruits, veggies, healthy grains, etc., but my meal plan seems to be lacking.  I eat whatever is easy for me to grab and go..and that isn't always the healthiest choice.

I need something that is easy to follow.  Something that I can incorporate into my everyday without making a total lifestyle change cold turkey.  I am all about making changes, by taking baby steps.  It seems easier to me that way. 

Real Moms Love to Eat by Beth Aldrich takes this exact approach that I am looking for.  This is not your typical diet book.  Ms. Aldrich has brilliantly encompassed and written exactly what I am thinking and feeling, as I am sure many of you will agree.  For example, she understands what it is like to be a busy Mom, that food is for enjoyment as well as nourishment, that we get cravings...and that's not a bad thing.  She acknowledges the importance of chocolate in a woman's life, provides simple, healthy recipes that anyone can make, and will enjoy eating.

The Real Moms Love to Eat plan is simple.  For 10 weeks, you make "fun little pleasure-invoking changes in your life".  Each week, there are 5 "assignments" for you to do each day.  These assignments are about making long term changes in your life that will help to "kick-start you from stressed to sensational".  And, at the end, Ms. Aldrich even provides a 21 day meal plan that is designed to get you going and satisfy you at the same time.  So, for example, Week 1 starts with 5 changes, including:

1. Start each day with a green smoothie (recipe included in book for you!)
2. Eat one ounce of dark chocolate every day (YUM!)
3. Drink 4 glasses of fresh, pure water everyday.
4. For dinner every night, make sure your meal contains two naturally green things, one naturally red thing, and one naturally yellow thing.
5. Each day, eat one portion of something you really desire, no matter what it is (Whew!  Dessert, here I come!)

So, I am trying it.  So far, I have done all the assignments in Week 1.  It has been super easy and I can see myself keeping up with these simple assignments.  The book walks you through each assignment, explaining the importance and relevance to the plan.  It makes complete sense and Ms. Aldrichs' sense of humor makes this a great read!

As the weeks go on, the assignments will change, but I am hoping that most of these changes will help me to live a healthier lifestyle...including losing some of the baby weight! 

I already feel better.  Could it be the extra water I am drinking, the chocolate I get to enjoy each day, or the fact that I have begun to take charge of what I eat?  I don't know...but I plan on continuing for the next 9 weeks to finish the plan and find out.

Do you want your own free autographed copy of Real Moms Love to Eat??  Head on over to Mama Cheaps and ENTER to win your own copy.

Homemade Sunscreen

It's gonna get HOT this week!  In case you haven't stocked up on sunscreen yet, here is an easy, inexpensive and effective recipe for some homemade sunscreen in a pinch.

Zinc Oxide has been proven effective time and time again when used properly...thick and full strength.  It can help to protect the skin from UVB and UVA rays.   Homemade sunscreen made with zinc oxide has long been regarded as a superior broad spectrum sun-blocking substance.

You and you child can easily whip up a batch as needed.  Best part about this is that there are no harsh chemicals and you know exactly what you are applying on your family's skin.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon zinc oxide (available online or at your pharmacy)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Measure the zinc oxide and olive oil in a bowl. 
2. Use a fork to mix the ingredients together completely.
3. Before sun exposure, apply a generous amount of the sunscreen to exposed areas.
4. Reapply often, especially after play in water.

This is enough for approximately one small application to the face and arms, but the recipe may be doubled or tripled for a larger batch if necessary. Make enough for immediate use only, as the solution should not be stored. Once this has been mixed; the ingredients lose potency after a couple of hours.

Remember, you will have to apply this sunscreen more often that commercial sunscreen.  Because the mixture isn't waterproof, you'll need to reapply frequently if going in and out of the water.

Also, keep in mind that this homemade sunscreen will be visible on the skin after application.