Make Game Day Entertaining Easy with These Essential Big Game Eats

Hosting a get-together for the big game this weekend? The game day spread can make or break even the best football party. Make game day entertaining easy and delicious with these essential big game eats...

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com. 

When it comes to game day entertaining, I only have one thing on my mind- the big game snack spread. I usually don't care much about who is playing who, or even who ends up being the champions in the end. I am there for one thing & one thing only- the food, folks. 

Because when it comes to snacking, there isn't much that beats a good game day spread. From the essentials like chips & dips to wings to pizza and everything else in between, the big game menu is what makes or breaks a game day get-together for me.

Smokehouse Game Day Platter

This simple and tasty Smokehouse Game Day Platter is sure to score a touchdown with your guests at your next football party or get-together...

This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. 

If you ask me, the best thing about the big game is the food, folks. I mean, I can get into cheering for the hometown team and all, but the I get the most fired up over the game day snacks. 

No matter which team wins, as long as the snacking spread is a winner then I am a happy gal. ;) Being the food blogger/self-proclaimed foodie in my family, I am usually the one bringing something a little different for the game day spread. Chips and dip are great and all, but let's kick that football party menu plan up just a notch or two, shall we?

Blue Diamond's new game changing Smokehouse Almonds served as the inspiration for this tasty and easy to make game day platter. It starts with a can of Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds- salty, crunchy, with just the right amount of smoky flavor. 

I paired it with sweet & smoky cocktail sausages and a few of our favorite smoked cheeses with crackers. This simple and tasty Smokehouse Game Day Platter is sure to score a touchdown with your guests at your next football party or get-together...

3 Easy Steps to a Crowd-Pleasing Homegating Platter

Whip up a snack platter that is sure to score a touchdown at your next game day get-together with these 3 Easy Steps to a Crowd-Pleasing Homegating Platter...

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own.

When it comes to game day snacking & entertaining, I go for easy & fuss-free every single time. I never want to be the hostess that is stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying the big game. I mean, what fun is that anyways? ;)

One of my favorite homegating dishes to throw together for a football party is an easy, yet crowd-pleasing platter. A tasty snack platter almost always serves as the star & the centerpiece of my game day spread. Once I have the platter made & ready to go, I can easily build the snack table from there with all the goodies that my party guests bring.  

Building the perfect homegating snack platter doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming. In fact, you can whip up a platter that is sure to score a touchdown at your next game day get-together in just 3 easy steps...

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!

Asian Chili & Garlic Pork Sliders

These super flavorful Asian Chili & Garlic Pork Sliders are sure to be the MVP of your next game day get-together... 

Of all the game day recipes I have posted to this blog over the years, I have never once posted a sliders recipe.... that is, until today. And I have no clue why it has taken me this long! 

I mean, sliders make the perfect football food. They fit in one hand leaving one hand free for making gestures of victory or disgust during the game. ;) 

You can pack a ton of flavor into these tiny burgers. And they are perfectly snack-sized so you that can save room for the other game day goodies being served like hot wings and chips & dip. That is game day food perfection in my books, folks.

These Asian Chili & Garlic Pork Sliders are actually inspired by some of the flavors that I used in these Slow Cooker Banh Mi Pork Sandwiches that I posted to the blog in October 2016. And those pulled pork sandwiches were inspired by the Banh Mi pork sliders I made with some of my fellow food bloggers while attending the Pass the Pork tour in Minnesota in September of that same year. 

Isn't it awesome how recipe inspiration can work sometimes? :)

MVPeanut Butter Snickers Popcorn

This MVPeanut Butter Snickers Popcorn with it's crunchy popcorn, gooey peanut butter, and bits of Snickers is the perfect sweet treat for game day...

Looking for a sweet and salty snack for your tailgating or game day get-together this weekend? I have you covered with my MVPeanut Butter Snickers Popcorn!  

This easy dessert that requires no utensils (and hey, even a plate or napkin is optional with this one!) comes together in about 30 minutes and is sure to please even the most hardcore football fans.  

The new MARS Snickers Bites makes this popcorn treat come together in a snap since there is no unwrapping of candy bars required.  Just dump out the entire bag of unwrapped bites of peanut, nougat, caramel, and milk chocolate onto a cutting board and give them a quick chop!

I am not going to lie to you all.  This stuff is seriously addictive.  Like the day I made this popcorn, it may have ended up constituting most of my lunch because I couldn't keep my hand out of the bowl.  Sweet, salty, chewy, crunchy.... okay, perfect. ;)  

Tossing the Snickers Bites in while the peanut butter mixture is still warm is the key.  It melts the chocolate and caramel ever so slightly making it stick in delicious little globs to the popcorn that harden after it has cooled...

Skinny Chocolate Chip Cannoli Dip

You won't miss the fat & calories in this easy dessert dip! Perfect for game day, snack time, or a baby shower...

Oh yes... you read that right.  This food blogger made her first skinny recipe of the New Year! ;)

Don't worry.  I am not making the move to becoming a health food blogger.  I will still be sharing sweet treats and ooey, gooey cheesy things. 

But I am trying to make some smarter choices as far as what I put in my body from here on out.

I love, love, love sweets.  If you have been following me for anymore than 2 weeks, you probably already have an inkling about my mean sweet tooth.  

The Best of Frugal Foodie Mama- Top 10 Posts of 2015

Here are my Top 10 Posts of 2015 as clicked on, pinned, shared, and decided by you all- my readers...

Happy 2016, friends! :) Another year has come and passed here at Frugal Foodie Mama, and I have to say that 2015 was a pretty incredible year for this little space of mine. I had the pleasure of being invited to my first ever blogger press trip by the friendly and generous folks at Southern Living & Delta Faucet. Not only did I get to check off Birmingham from my travel bucket list, but I also got to tour Southern Living's headquarters & test kitchens and meet the incredibly talented people behind those southern recipes we look forward to each month. From there, 2015 just kept getting better for this little food blog of mine. I attended the Indulge Conference in Portland in May, and then traveled to Orlando for the Food & Wine Conference as a brand ambassador for Wisconsin Cheese. In August, my family and I were invited on our first travel media trip to a part of the Kidsburgh press tour hosted by the folks at Visit Pittsburgh. And I rounded out the year with a blogger press trip to Cleveland to take part in the Ohio Dairy Adventure. :)

I was afforded some incredible opportunities to work with some brands and companies that I had only dreamed of collaborating with before. And in return, I was able to provide you all with even more delicious and budget friendly recipes, money saving tips, and family friendly travel ideas in 2015. And speaking of family travel, I met my goal of really growing and expanding that section of Frugal Foodie Mama in 2015 ! :) If you haven't visited my Family Travel page recently, you should pop over and take a peek. I added lots of travel recaps and tips to that section over the past year. 

I am so thankful for how much this blog has grown in the past 365 days, but as always none of this would be possible without all of you all. My readers who come back day after day to read my posts, share them, and support Frugal Foodie Mama. I can never say it enough, but THANK YOU. :) You all are the reason why this blog of mine has done so well. 

And now for the real reason you all are here- the top posts of 2015! Not surprisingly, recipes dominated what you all loved the most from the past year. But we did have one non-recipe rank pretty darn high in the countdown this year. 

Let the countdown from #10 to #1 begin NOW...

5 Ways to Save Money on Day Trips

Get out and about and explore without breaking your travel budget with these 5 Ways to Save Money on Day Trips...

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Brita, but all my opinions are my own.

Though we tend to travel and take little road trips all year round, summer seems to be when we really get out there and hit the road for a little family vacation time. My oldest is out from school for a couple of months, and we are pretty much free to pick and go when an opportunity or urge arises. 

But one thing that I have learned about summer travel is that the expenses of taking a trip- even what seems like a little weekend getaway- can add up fast. I can snag a great deal on a hotel or B&B. We can find the best price on gas and fuel up before heading out. But what I was finding is that those little day trips we took to get out and about and explore once we arrived at our destination were just eating up our travel budget. 

Walk around a little town or explore an area of a city, and you will find that there all kinds of ways to spend money around every corner. I soon discovered that those little day trips were eating up our travel budget for that trip quick, so I implemented a few changes over the past year or so. These changes have saved us hundreds of dollars. And money saved means more stays in our travel fund for the year which equals more trips and family time! :) 

So, what haveI done to save my family money as we explore and discover the areas that we love traveling to? I gathered up my five top tips for you all below...

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...

Reconnect With Your Kids at Massanutten Resort in Virginia

Relax, have a little fun together, & reconnect with your family with a stay at Massanutten Resort in Virginia...

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

Earlier this month, my daughter & I set out on a girls only road trip to spend the weekend at Massanutten Resort located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. This two day mother/daughter mountain getaway was the perfect opportunity for the two of us to relax, have a little fun together, & reconnect before the craziness of the holiday season had officially set in. 

With 6000 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, Massanutten Resort has something for everyone in your family. From snow sports to shopping to an expansive indoor water park, a stay at Massanutten is the perfect way for your entire family to enjoy each other & do a little good ole fashioned bonding (maybe over ooey, gooey skillet s'mores or while racing each other down the water slides? ;) ), all while creating fun family memories together.

How to Save Money on Your Next Road Trip Before You Even Hit the Road

Expenses for family road trips can add up quick! Find out my #1 tip for How to Save Money on Your Next Road Trip Before You Even Hit the Road...

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

The end of the school year & the beginning of summertime always means one thing for my kids & I- it is the official start of road trip season in our home. Whether we are driving just an hour or two to spend the day hiking or embarking on a 6+ hour drive to a cabin in the Tennessee mountains, we are always game for a good family road trip. 

But when you factor in gas, stops for snacks, road tolls (ugh- am I right?), the expenses for those family road trips can start adding up pretty quick. That is why our local Kroger store has now become our first official stop on our road trips before we even hit the road. 

Easy Pepperoni Pizza Waffle Pockets

These Pepperoni Pizza Waffle Pockets are simple to make, ready in minutes, and will be gobbled up by everyone in your family...

So by now, the kiddos are either out of school for the summer or will be very soon.  My son's last day as a high school freshman will actually be tomorrow.

*sigh*

How has my first baby already flown through his first full year of high school??

My mind keeps thinking ahead to 3 years from around now when he will be GRADUATING from high school...

Uhhhhhh... what!?!

I am already anticipating what I know I will inevitably hear about a million times this summer from my son...

"I'm hungry. Will you make me something?"

"Will you make me some lunch?"

"When's dinner? Is there anything to snack on?"

I have a tasty solution ready for the teenage son munchies with these super Easy Pepperoni Pizza Waffle Pockets.