Sweet Dreams Chamomile Latte

Add this creamy, quick, and comforting Sweet Dreams Chamomile Latte to your nightly bedtime routine...

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

I am truly blessed to be able to stay at home with my youngest and to be able to work at home.  Every day I get do what I love which happens to be this little blog here- creating recipes, photographing delicious dishes & products that I love, writing, and sharing my world with you all.  

And while working at home and being able to stay at home with my three year old definitely has it's perks- aka, I don't have to worry about cleaning off a car or commuting to work in the snow, and I am able to be here for all those little moments with little miss- it also have it's downfalls.

For instance, I never really get to leave my "workplace".  I sleep, eat, breathe, and live where I work. Sometimes I miss being able to have that punch the clock mentality. When I worked outside the home, I rarely brought the job home with me. I would come home and was just able to be with no obligations that evening or over the weekend other than my family and home. 

I have always struggled somewhat with insomnia. I have that brain that all of a sudden powers up as soon as my head hits the pillow. New recipe ideas come to mind. I will remember two other things I need to add to my to-do list for the next day. And unlike when I worked outside the home, I know I can get up out of bed and go do the things that are keeping me awake. My "office" happens to be just feet away in the kitchen.

One way that I have been tackling my nighttime insomnia is by trying to implement a consistent and relaxing routine about an hour before I plan to go to sleep each night that includes a RESCUE Liquid Sleep Melt and a mug of this creamy & comforting Sweet Dreams Chamomile Latte... :)

Homemade Pepperoni Rolls

Inspired by a classic West Virginia recipe, spicy pepperoni is enveloped in a soft yeast roll in these Homemade Pepperoni Rolls...

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Every city and town, every state has a food or dish that they are just known for.  

For Philadelphia, it may be the cheese steak. For Texas as a whole, it may be barbecue.

But for my home state of West Virginia, it is the pepperoni roll.  

I have lived and traveled outside of the great mountain state, but there is nothing out there anywhere that is quite like the fresh baked and homemade pepperoni rolls that comes from the local bakeries and home kitchens of my home state.

The now-iconic Lay's "Do Us A Flavor" campaign has returned, and they are wanting YOU to come up with a potato chip flavor idea that best represents your hometown or state. :) 

What will my entry be? A pepperoni roll flavored potato chip, of course! You can find out why my flavor idea has to be the best one by baking up your own batch of my homemade pepperoni rolls... ;)

Buttery Fresh Herb Smashed Potatoes

These Buttery Fresh Herb Smashed Potatoes are a fresh, bright, & lighter take on traditional mashed potatoes- a must-make side dish for your holiday dinner...

My mother's creamy (and very buttery) mashed potatoes have been a staple at our holiday dinners for years now. And I can't lie- it was always the side dish that I most looked forward to each Thanksgiving. 

I always had a big ole scoop at dinner, and then maybe a second helping later during dinner. And I never argued when she wanted to send me home with a nice sized container of them. 

While those comforting mashed potatoes of my mama's will always have a special spot in my heart, I have been making a few menu changes since I took over the Thanksgiving dinner responsibilities. Namely, I have been trying to take some of our longtime favorite recipes and have been making healthier, yet just as tasty versions of them.  

When I came across this recipe for Buttery Fresh Herb Potatoes from I Can't Believe It's Not Butter's recipe page, I knew with just one minor tweak that I had found my new go-to potato recipe for Thanksgiving dinner. 

With the addition of fresh parsley, lemon zest, and capers, these Buttery Fresh Herb Smashed Potatoes have a bright, fresh flavor. 

And since these are made with the new and improved (and better for you!) I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, there is no need for cream or milk to get that creamy, buttery flavor that you love in traditional mashed potatoes...

Whole Wheat Apple-Walnut Chai Bread

This moist and delicious Whole Wheat Apple-Walnut Chai Bread is packed full of the good stuff like apples, walnuts, whole grains, and chai spices for a fall/holiday kick...

I know when most people think of the flavors of the holiday season, they think of pumpkin and peppermint & chocolate. But for me it is all about the chai spices... and the apples! We go apple picking as a family every single fall, and I go to work over that next week or so making apple butter, baking a pie or two, and trying my hand at a few new apple inspired recipes as well.  

This recipe for Whole Wheat Apple-Walnut Chai Bread is definitely an exception to my usual holiday (ahem... indulgent) baking. My inspiration for creating this holiday perfect quick bread that you can also feel good about indulging in? The sack of Bob’s Red Mill Organic Whole Wheat Flour that I received in the mail. :) Bob's Red Mill wheat flour is stone ground from organic hard red wheat, leaving all of the nutritious bran and germ still intact. All of the wholesome goodness is retained in the process of grinding the flour.  And when I read that their whole wheat flour was ideal for bread baking, I knew that I just had try my hand at making a bread with it.  

Keeping with Bob's Red Mill's practice of keeping all of the good stuff in their products, I decided to add in a lot of the good stuff in my bread recipe as well- coconut oil, almond milk, organic apples, walnuts, and of course the menagerie of spices that give chai spice it's kick and holiday toastiness...

Chocolate Covered Raisin No-Bake Cookies

Is it just me or does it always seem to be a challenge to find an after school snack that both the kiddos and the parents can agree on?  Or how about when the little ones beg for a sweet treat in their lunch boxes?

They would prefer to pack sugar filled cookies and candy. Or snack on chips while sitting down to do their homework after school.  But we parents cringe at the very thought.

Well, I have come up with perfect sweet snacking solution that is both mom/dad and kid-approved- Chocolate Covered Raisin No-Bake Cookies! :)

Now before you blast me for making no-bake cookies, know that I was able to greatly reduce the sugar in these thanks to some help from California Raisins.   Most no-bake cookie recipes I have seen have at least two cups of sugar in them!

Two cups, folks.

By adding naturally sweet California Raisins- both whole & pureed, I was able to cut the sugar needed for these delicious no-bake cookies by over half! :)

California Raisins have zero fat, no cholesterol and no added sugar. Plus, raisins offer 9% of your daily fiber and potassium, and 6% of your daily iron (per quarter cup serving).

They are the perfectly portable & healthy on-the-go snack and the perfect addition to these satisfying & tasty Chocolate Covered Raisin No-Bake Cookies...

NatureBox- Easy & Healthy Snacking for the Entire Family

The start of the school year always means the end to the lazy days of summer and the ushering in of the busy days of fall.

The days start earlier, but we seem to have less time as each day is now jam-packed with lunch packing, homework conquering, cross country practice, team photos, and more.  

Needless to say, a lot of rushing out the door and chauffeuring the oldest from here to there with a toddler in tow takes place.

It is all too easy to just grab whatever and toss it in in my purse or in my son's backpack as we walk (scratch that, run) out the door.  And we often end up grabbing something that is not all that healthy for us just because it is convenient.

But what if convenient could also be healthy? 

Let me introduce you all to NatureBox, this mama's new game changer in making sure every member of my family stays fueled with healthy and tasty snacks that are quick & easy too...

3 Simple Hacks to Prevent Frozen Treat Drips

My little one just loves eating a popsicle on a hot summer afternoon or evening.  

And I like giving her popsicles, but what I love even more is treating her to healthier frozen fruit bars especially when they are packed with real fruit and creamy milk like the new Fruttare Fruit and Milk Bars. ;)

But what I do not like is the drippy, sticky, inevitable mess that comes with giving an easily distracted toddler a frozen fruit bar on an 80 degree, sunny day.

After doing a little Googling, I found some pretty simple and easy solutions for preventing or at the very least greatly reducing the frozen treat drips, folks.

And I am going to share the 3 best ones that I found with you all now...

Iced Arnold Palmer Teagaritas

Ever since we finished our back deck makeover and my husband built our new fire pit, we have been celebrating summer almost every weekend by hosting friends and family over.  Often these little celebrations start with some delicious grilling accompanied by refreshing (often adult) beverages, and then followed by long hours sitting around the fire, talking, making s'mores, and drinking a few more adults only beverages. ;)

Last Friday was no exception as we hosted my parents and my sister and her boyfriend over for the 4th of July.  

Typically I am the designated bartender for such gatherings- muddling mojiotos, stirring sangria, and shaking up cocktails.  And while I am not complaining about these duties (I would much rather be mixing drinks than manning the hot grill ;) ), I do find myself spending more time getting everyone drinks than actually spending time with and enjoying my guests. 

But not for this most recent celebratory summer gathering... ;)

Because I was armed with Jose Cuervo's ready-to-serve Iced Teagarita.  Jose Cuervo Iced Teagarita is a perfectly tasty blend of classic lime margarita, Jose Cuervo tequila and premium orange liqueur, and of course, iced tea! 

But you all know I couldn't leave well enough alone (although this Iced Teagarita is delicious simply served over ice).

I had to go and add a little Arnold Palmer action to our 4th of July Iced Teagaritas.  For those of you know not familiar with this simple drink concoction made popular by a famous professional golfer, it is basically half lemonade and half iced tea...

The Vacation of Your Dreams Might Be a Few Clicks Away...

We are a family that loves to travel.  

We love experiencing new places, trying new foods, and jumping head first into the all the things the locals love.

A few months before the summer arrives each year (and sometimes even earlier than that!), we start planning our summer vacation. There is something that makes us all giddy and happy from just planning out the details of our next family getaway.

Last summer we spent a week in the Outer Banks. This summer we will be visiting Hilton Head and Savannah. (And psssttt... I just may be doing a couple of family travel posts of the area when we get back.)

And next year?

Who knows? Maybe Hawaii! 

Because I could be one of the very lucky winners in RCI's "Win Your Dream Vacation Sweepstakes" . ;)

Country Breakfast Casserole #CountryCrockStars

When you are on a budget, casseroles can be your best friend. A little of this, a little of that (ummmmm... whatever you happen to have in your fridge that you need to use instead of throwing out), layer it, mix it, and then pop it in the oven & voila!  Dinner is served, right?

But who says casseroles are just for dinner?

Casseroles have been a part of my breakfast repertoire for a little while now.

Usually in the form of a french toast casserole of sorts.

But this week I made a savory, buttery, cheesy casserole to share with you all as part of the Country Crock Stars contest. 

I threw everything you would expect from a country breakfast on the farm into a casserole- eggs, bacon, home fries, cheese, & I topped it all off with buttermilk biscuits (or at least a buttermilk biscuit crumble!). 

I am not going to lie to you all... this was fabulous.  My son and husband were raving about it & told me the wait was worth it.  (I may have got a late start on breakfast that day and breakfast turned into more like brunch. ;) )

What you will need:

5-6 small potatoes (or 2 large ones), scrubbed & diced

1/2 of an onion, diced

2 tbsp Country Crock spread

6-7 slices of thick bacon, cooked and then roughly chopped

5 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the buttermilk biscuit crumble-

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

couple dashes of cayenne pepper

3 tbsp Country Crock spread 

1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup buttermilk

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a medium casserole dish with cooking spray.  Set aside.

Cook your bacon as you prefer (I like to bake mine in the oven on a foil lined rimmed cookie sheet at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.).  Once cooked, remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate and let cool and then give them a rough chop.

In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt the 2 tbsp of Country Crock spread.  Add in the diced potatoes and onions.  Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping once about halfway through.  We are trying to get the potatoes browned, but not cooked all the way through.  Once cooked, dump the potatoes and onions into your prepared casserole dish.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and salt.  Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes in the casserole dish.  Sprinkle 1/3 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over top.

Bake for 15 minutes in your preheated oven.

While the casserole is baking, prepare your buttermilk biscuit crumble dough.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, & cayenne. Using a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the 3 tbsp of Country Crock spread into the flour mixture until it is crumbly.  Mix in the remaining 1/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.  Now pour in the buttermilk and mix until a dough forms.

Once the casserole has baked for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and top with the chopped bacon and 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese.  Now drop the buttermilk biscuit dough in spoonfuls all across the top of the casserole forming a crumble-like topping. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes.  During the last 10 minutes of baking, crank the oven up to 400 degrees.

The eggs should be set when done and the edges should be pulling away from the sides of the casserole dish.  Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting it and serving.

What I love about this casserole is that it is versatile.  You can use whatever you have on hand.  

Don't have bacon?  Use sausage or leftover diced ham. 

Have a green pepper or a jalapeno you need to use? Dice it up and saute it with the potatoes and onions.

You could make this a meat free casserole and just load it up with lots of veggies- mushrooms, spinach, peppers, asparagus... You get the picture. ;)

Just don't forget the Country Crock!  I was surprised with how buttery and delicious it made this Country Breakfast Casserole.

Do you have a go-to, delicious casserole that your family loves?

Then go enter the Country Crock Stars contest- share a photo of your favorite casserole, and share in 100 words how you demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness in the kitchen. (You could win a trip for two to New York City  & $5000!!)

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Country Breakfast Casserole

by Frugal Foodie Mama

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

6045728

Ingredients (Serves 6)

• 5-6 small potatoes (or 2 large ones), scrubbed & diced
• 1/2 of an onion, diced
• 2 tbsp Country Crock spread
• 6-7 slices of thick bacon, cooked and then roughly chopped
• 5 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

For the buttermilk biscuit crumble

• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• couple dashes of cayenne pepper
• 3 tbsp Country Crock spread
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup buttermilk

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spray a medium casserole dish with cooking spray. Set aside.

Cook your bacon as you prefer (I like to bake mine in the oven on a foil lined rimmed cookie sheet at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes.). Once cooked, remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate and let cool and then give them a rough chop.

In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, melt the 2 tbsp of Country Crock spread. Add in the diced potatoes and onions. Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping once about halfway through. We are trying to get the potatoes browned, but not cooked all the way through. Once cooked, dump the potatoes and onions into your prepared casserole dish.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and salt. Pour the egg mixture over the potatoes in the casserole dish. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese over top.

Bake for 15 minutes in your preheated oven.

While the casserole is baking, prepare your buttermilk biscuit crumble dough. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, & cayenne. Using a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the 3 tbsp of Country Crock spread into the flour mixture until it is crumbly. Mix in the remaining 1/3 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Now pour in the buttermilk and mix until a dough forms.

Once the casserole has baked for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and top with the chopped bacon and 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Now drop the buttermilk biscuit dough in spoonfuls all across the top of the casserole forming a crumble-like topping. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes. During the last 10 minutes of baking, crank the oven up to 400 degrees.

The eggs should be set when done and the edges should be pulling away from the sides of the casserole dish. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting it and serving.

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A From Scratch Breakfast for My Busy Little Family {Aunt Jemima Lil' Griddles}

As a mother to not only a one year old but also a 14 year old, I do not usually come across a breakfast item that they both will enjoy.  Usually it is one thing for my baby girl and another thing for my son.  Oh, and something else completely different for mom. ;)

Now with Aunt Jemima's Lil' Griddles, I have found something all of us can enjoy!  Every batch is made from scratch.  Aunt Jemima uses real ingredients in their Lil' Griddles products just like you would at home- like milk, and sugar, and eggs- but at a fraction of the time it would take you to whip up a batch from scratch yourself.  Great for families on the go, with little free time on their hands!

My 14 year old son definitely gives them a thumbs up.  Most mornings he gets up and gets ready for school on his own.  That usually means his breakfast to start the day is a bowl of cold cereal.... or worse.  Blech.  Now he can pop a few of these Lil' Griddles Blueberry Mini Pancakes in the microwave & in less time than it would take him to pour a bowl of cereal, he can have a hot delicious breakfast.  As a mother who feels guilty that she cannot always get up early with her son to see him off to the bus (usually because a cranky, restless, teething toddler has kept her up off and on throughout the night), this makes me feel a little better to know he is heading off to school after eating a breakfast that is much like what I would make for him myself. 

Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast takes great pride in making frozen pancakes, waffles and French toast just like moms across America make breakfast in their own kitchens -- their griddles are just a little bit bigger. ;)

I am very proud of my son and his food styling skills.  Yep, he arranged the pancakes on his plate himself.  A future foodie photographer (or maybe food styler?) in the works. ;)

Yes, even I indulged in some of these delicious two bite Aunt Jemima Lil' Griddles Mini Pancakes while I answered emails and worked on blog posts. 

Even baby girl was impressed! :) She couldn't get enough.  

Aunt Jemimia Lil' Griddles is a  quick, easy, pancake breakfast just like I would make for my family on a Saturday or Sunday morning.  Except they can have it any morning of the week. 

The goal of Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast is to deliver every batch just like you’d make it yourself. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day, and Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast knows for moms, starting her family out with a warm breakfast makes the morning, and the entire day, even more special.

In my house, they are teenager, baby, and mommy approved! 

We love the Blueberry Mini Pancakes and the regular Mini Pancakes.  We can't wait to try the Cinnamon French Toast Sticks next!

And would you like to try Aunt Jemima Lil' Griddles for yourself & your family?  Then just CLICK HERE to request your own coupon for them- easy, peasy!

Thank you to Aunt Jemima Frozen Breakfast for being a sponsor. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Get On Over to the Old Navy Kids & Baby Sale!

Old Navy has definitely been one of our favorite clothing stores to shop for baby girl.  Their affordable cute little dresses, stylish tops, and perfect little pants have made up a good bulk of her wardrobe since she before she was born.  Heck, Old Navy's maternity line was one of my favorites to wear when I was flaunting baby girl in bump. ;)

There is no better time to pick up some new Old Navy garb than during their Kids & Baby Sale going on right now.  Prices have been reduced by up to 40%!  Not to mention, their clearance section has been slashed too.  Oh yes... I love those little orange stickers!

(Pssstttt.... the Old Navy Kids & Baby Sale is still going until February 20th, so you have plenty of time to get on over to your local Old Navy & take advantage of these amazing prices!)

So, we took baby girl on a little shopping spree for her birthday over the weekend.  See all that up there?^^^

Yep.  We got it all for about $75!  

Two shirt & pants sets & two sets of pajamas for right now.

And a romper, bikini, a hooded zip up terry cloth cover up, and a sweet little top all for later on this coming spring & summer!  

We had a wonderful shopping experience at our local Old Navy.  The manager was so helpful.  I had been hoping to buy a couple of pairs of jeans for my teenage son, but the largest size in the boys' jeans that they carried in store were 16's.  The manager went above and beyond to measure the inseam of the size 16's for us.  But we needed the size 18's, which are only available online.  I would have loved to have showed you all how I dressed my 1 year old & my 14 year old from the Old Navy Kids & Baby sale in the store.  

But then again we wouldn't have been able to buy as much cuteness for baby girl. ;)

Speaking of cuteness, how adorable is this outfit??  

Both pieces?  Just $10 total!  What you can't see is the adorable ruffles on her bum, but you can catch them in my Old Navy wardrobe photo collage above.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.