Getting the Kitchen Organized with Core Home {& A Giveaway!}

A big thank you to my friends at Core Home for providing me with my new favorite kitchen organization finds to share with you all today...

I think by now you all know that I happen to be a pretty loyal fan of Core Home. Their knives are my go-to every time I am cooking. Their bamboo cutting boards and pastry boards are not only beautiful, but also stand up to all the chopping and dough rolling that I dish out.  And just about everything that they make is bright and colorful! I love the pop of color that Core products give my kitchen. :)

Recently I was contacted by Core to give some of their kitchen organization products a go, and I was totally game.  With the 2nd Annual Spring De-Junk Challenge starting next week & spring cleaning on my mind, I knew my kitchen needed a little sprucing up and reorganizing.  

The ceramic utensil holder that I received from Core Home the first time that I had worked with them had been becoming increasingly overcrowded with wooden spoons, spatulas, whisks, knives, and everything else in between...

Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Packed full of chunks of chocolate & crunchy peanuts, this Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Banana Bread is a chocolate & peanut butter lover's dream come true...

This post is sponsored by Walmart, Thyme & Table, and The Women's Blogger Network. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

I know when most people think of their "happy place" they usually think of a beach with a cocktail in hand. Or a secluded cabin in the mountains. And while I could definitely go for either one of those places right about now, my favorite happy place happens to be my kitchen.

It is the one room in my house where I can create. And cook. And bake. And tinker with new recipe creations while also whipping up the tried & true recipes that my family loves and asks for time & time again. The rest of my house can be an absolute chaotic mess, but as long as my kitchen is clean, & tidy, and stocked with all the pretty things then I am able to find my inner calm and breathe.

One way that I am keeping my happy place decked out in trendy, yet functional utensils, gadgets, & cutting boards is with the Thyme & Table kitchen line from my local Walmart. Thyme & Table is the newest line of stylish kitchen products from Core Home. For those of you who have been following along with me for a while now, you all already know of my love for Core Home. Their products have been a staple in my kitchen for the past four years now. :)

Give Your Kitchen a Pop of Color With Core Kitchen! {A Review & Giveaway}

I was provided colorful kitchen essentials from Core Kitchen for my personal enjoyment and use in exchange for my honest feedback.  I was not compensated for this review or for hosting this giveaway in any other way.  All opinions expressed below are 100% my own.

I have to admit- I am a sucker for pretty much anything bright and fun for the kitchen.

I often bring home a novel, brightly colored new kitchen gadget only to find out that though the colors may be pretty, the quality and construction of the fun gadgets were not up to par.

A handle would snap off.  Or the blade on that nifty potato peeler couldn't slice off a peel from a potato if my life depended on it.  

Yep. A big womp womp.

So I would revert back to the plain, old boring black & silver kitchen gadgets that never let me down... at least when it came to actual sturdiness and usefulness in my daily kitchen adventures.  

It just seemed to me like you couldn't have fun pops of color and durability in the same kitchen gadgets.

6 Holiday Treats for Easy Christmas Gift Giving

Make gifts from the heart (and straight to the tummy) with these 6 Holiday Treats for Easy Christmas Gift Giving...

Go ahead and get started on your holiday gift list with these 6 Holiday Treats perfect for easy Christmas gift giving! :) And after you have checked out all 6 of these easy and tasty DIY gift ideas, be sure to scroll down and get entered to win the HUGE Bake Your Holidays Gifts Giveaway below... :)

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix from The Bitter Side of Sweet

Toasted Pecan Pie Crust Mix from Frugal Foodie Mama

Gingerbread Yogurt Waffles with Powdered Sugar Glaze from Melanie Makes

Easy Cherry Pie Cookies from Pint Sized Baker

Candy Cane Swirl Cookies from Clark's Condensed

How to Throw a Cookie and Cocoa Party from Juggling Act Mama

$500 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway

Does your spring or summer wardrobe need a little sprucing up? Then be sure to get entered to win in the $500 Nordstrom Gift Card Giveaway...

It seems like spring just arrived, but we all know that summer will be here before we know it! :) Could your summertime wardrobe use a little sprucing up or maybe a complete overhaul? Just imagine how many bathing suits, cute summery dresses, sunnies, and sandals that $500 to spend at Nordstrom could buy you!  I am teaming up with a few of my blogger friends to bring you all another fabulous giveaway, and this time it is for a $500 Nordstrom gift card. I know- it seems like April has been chock full of giveaways over here at Frugal Foodie Mama. But I know you all are not complaining, right? ;)

Lavender Tom Collins

A classic gin cocktail gets a floral, springtime twist in this bubbly Lavender Tom Collins...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

Okay, I won't lie to you all. I am pretty sure my alcohol consumption has maybe slightly increased since this who stay at home order business started. I mean, there really isn't any rules anymore for when it is acceptable or not to enjoy a little boozy concoction- am I right? 

Just like everything else in my life, I have finally accepted the fact that I am living a new "normal" for now. Like realizing that my youngest is still wearing her pajamas as dinner time is fast approaching & shrugging my shoulders because she will just be taking a shower in a few hours & changing into a new pair of PJ's. 

Or the fact that I have now become a hard core FaceTimer when I hardly ever used the app on my iPhone before. I mean, what better way is there to chat with my sister than with a unicorn or a kitty filter on? Also, how am I just now discovering how insanely fun that is?? ;)

I have also learned to appreciate the value of a well stocked fridge and liquor cabinet through all of this. Because sometimes a whiskey & ginger or a little gin and lime is just what I need at the end of the day. We have been fortunate here in West Virginia that our liquor stores have remained open throughout all of this. I can't say the same for our neighbors up north though (sorry, Pennsylvania!). 

Planning a Couple's Getaway to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Finally ready to plan an adults-only weekend escape? Be sure to check out my tips and recommendations for planning the perfect, socially distanced couple's getaway to rediscover Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...

This post was created in partnership with Visit Pittsburgh. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

I get it- you all might be a tad apprehensive about traveling at all during the time of Covid. For months now, I have been living a cooped-up existence with my daughter in our home. 

We have avoided large family gatherings and have kept a tight circle of close family and a few friends since this pandemic started. We have been opting to do small day trips here and there instead of a weeklong vacation like we would normally do. 

But let's face it, you all- I think we all need a little adults-only time away from the kiddos for a few days after months and months of seeing their precious little faces day in and day out. Am I right? ;) 

You may be wondering if right now is really the right time to start planning a couple's road trip. And I totally understand your hesitation. But with the right planning and a little bit of research on your part, you can plan a fun, safe, and socially distanced getaway with your significant other.

Where to Eat in Gettysburg

Gettysburg isn't just for history buffs! This city also offers its visitors a very delicious and vibrant local food scene making it the perfect getaway for die hard foodies as well...

This post was created in partnership with Destination Gettysburg. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

(Updated May 2023)

Food happens to be a big part of our family travels. I genuinely believe it is one of the best ways to get a true feel for the flavor & local vibe of any new city or area that we visit. We do have a few rules in place when dining out while we are traveling though...

1. No fast food restaurants or national chains, aka nothing that we can eat back in our hometown on any ole day of the week.
2. Locally owned & operated. Bonus points if most or all of their menu happens to be locally sourced as well.
3. And they must be family friendly (a decent kids' menu, friendly atmosphere), but still appeal to the adults (aka, the hard core foodies) and the almost adult in the family. ;)

During our recent visit to Gettysburg a few weekends ago, not only did we get to immerse ourselves in the rich history and Civil War heritage of the city, but we also got a taste of the city's local food scene largely thanks to our friends at Destination Gettysburg. 

From local coffee spots to dining in buildings where history was created to locally crafted brews, Gettysburg is not just for history buffs, folks. Gettysburg also has a very delicious and vibrant local food scene making it the perfect getaway for die hard foodies as well...

Apple Crisp {A Guest Recipe from Cooking With Curls & a Giveaway!}

Hi, I'm Lisa from Cooking with Curls. I am so excited to be joining you today! Carrie is an absolute doll, I am so glad that I met her during the Spiked! Recipe Challenge. I cannot thank her enough for this opportunity, and all of the guidance that she have given me over the past month :)

 I am a stay at home mom with two amazing kids. We are originally from California, and moved to Iowa almost 14 years ago. Culture shock does not even begin to explain how incredibly different our lives are here. Whenever I am upset or stressed out, I start cooking. Feeling completely isolated in a strange place..... I started cooking a lot! As a result, I have finally found my passion..... a love of cooking! I started my blog in November and I have loved every minute of it. When you come visit me, you will find recipes that include family favorites like Sheep Herder's Pie, restaurant re-creations like the Bistro Burger, and a lot of cakes baked with alcohol like BAILEYS Kiss Cocktail Cake. All of my recipes are made from scratch, with lactose-free / dairy-free options, and have easy to follow instructions with step-by-step photos! Apple Crisp is one of those family favorite recipes and I have been making this one for as long as I can remember. Here is a collage of the steps and the recipe...

~Apple Crisp~ 4 cups cored, sliced granny smith apples (about 4 medium) 3/4 cup brown sugar, lightly packed 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened (plus extra for the pan) Directions: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 8 x 8 x 2 baking dish. Set aside. Stir brown sugar, oats, flour, and spices together in a large bowl. Mix in the softened butter to form a crumbly topping. Set aside. Core and slice your apples (mine are also peeled, I'm just weird that way) Place the apple slices in your prepared baking dish. Sprinkle topping mixture over the apples. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes until the apples are tender and topping is golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream.



 I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!


Thank you, Lisa for such a classic and tasty apple crisp recipe!!  (Return to the blog tomorrow to see my recipe for a homemade ice cream that will pair perfectly with this warm apple crisp. ;)
Lisa wants to give one of my readers this gorgeous Emile Henry Baking Square, perfect for baking your apple crisp in!  Please see the giveaway terms below and then use the nifty Rafflecopter to get entered.


 

Emile Henry Square Baker - Color: Cerise High fired natural Burgundy clay is unsurpassed for conducting and retaining heat, and produces a strong and durable ceramic bake ware. Extremely hard glaze resistant to scratching and chipping. Use directly from freezer to oven to table (0 F to 500 F). 9 x 9 x 2.2 2.1 quart Retails for $38.00

*This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.  All entries for the winner will be checked and verified, so please make sure you are doing what you are claiming in the Rafflecopter or all your entries will be voided.  No funny business, folks. ;). By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. Number of entries received determines the odds of winning. One winner will be selected.  Emile Henry nor any of the social media outlets listed in the Rafflecopter are sponsors of this giveaway.  Prize will be shipped directly by Lisa of Cooking With Curls.  Frugal Foodie Mama is not responsible for the shipment of this prize.  Protected tweets do not count as an entry method for tweeting. Tweets must come from a public account.  No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

Please see the Rafflecopter widget below for additional Terms & Conditions.  Good luck, all! 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hawaiian Pizza Pineapple Bites

These grilled Hawaiian Pizza Pineapple Bites have all the deliciousness of a traditional Hawaiian pizza minus the guilt...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Save-A-Lot. The opinions and text are all mine.

Can we talk tailgating/football party food for just a sec? I think the food is the best part of game day. 

Yes, I get into the game (most of the time), but it doesn't matter to me if the home team is winning or losing just as long as there is good food being served. 

The only issue I take with most traditional game day snacks is how unhealthy they can be. Not that I am a huge health nut, but it is definitely nice when there are a few healthier options on the menu for the big game.

I know what you all are thinking right now- healthier food has to be more expensive & that just doesn't jive when you have to feed a crowd for the game. But healthier game day eating doesn't have to empty your wallet. Not when you can shop at your local Save-A-Lot for all your football party needs. ;) 

That's right- your local Save-A-Lot has all the fresh (& healthy!) produce, meats, & even the essential paper products you need to make your game day get-together delicious & healthier without breaking the bank!