Time Saving Tips for the School Year

School is well under way and I feel we have just began to come up for air.  Activities, homework and tests, and schedules in general have been quite busy lately.  It's a challenge (and priority) for our family to spend as much time together as we can, so anything that provides a bit of a shortcut is a definitely MUST for us right now!  This is especially true when it comes to after-school snacks and dinnertime.  Anyone else in this boat?  I think mommas, including myself, love when they can feed their kids good food while benefiting from some convenience and ease.
We've been loving a few products I received in a recent Babble Box.  Not only have they made dinner time quick and easy with the Veetee Rice packs and Kahiki chicken, but after school snack have been extra fun with new snacks such as Popchips, Sabra Hummus Spreads, Chocmeister, and Peeled Snacks...it's been so refreshing for have unique and quick options rather than the usual granola bar.

Such a yummy dinner!  We sautéed up some zucchini and married it with Veetee Rice and Kahiki chicken...viola!  The Kahiki chicken is one of the best oriental frozen foods out there and the Veetee rice can be microwaved or sautéed as well...so yum!  I can't wait to try the Kahiki bowls for when I just need a little dinner for myself!

My kids get lots of "junk" for lack of a better word, at school and when they're with their grandparents...so at home, I'm pretty protective of what they eat.  I love that these Peeled Cheddar Peas Organic snacks are healthy and nutritious.  My kids eat these baked snacks up!

My kids have always loved hummus for afternoon snacks...with either carrots, cucumbers, or pretzels.  These Sabra spreads make it kid-friendly because you can just squeeze however much you want on your kids' plate!  Also, these Popchips didn't last long in our house...in fact, they were gone in one afternoon!  They especially loved the cheddar flavor!  And on days they choose sweet over savory, we go for some apples or pretzels dipped in the Chocmeister hazelnut spread, a sweet chocolate delight!  Again, I feel good about a "healthier" option and my kids absolutely LOVE it!  Dipping is definitely preferred when it comes to snacks...I guess it just adds another dimension to it and helps the kids feel empowered.
>>>I've got some fun deals and coupons for you!  See below for your next shopping trip:
-Chocmeister:  LessSugarChoc for 20% off orders of $25 or more on ilovepeanutbutter.com. Offer will be valid through September 30th.
-Peeled Snacks White Cheddar Peas Please:  One time offer of 15% off total cart over $25 at http://shop.peeledsnacks.com, promo code BABBLE16. September 5th-30th, 2016.
-Kahiki Crispy Tempura Item:  Print a limited time Buy 1 Get 1 FREE coupon for our new Yum Yum Stix™, Bowl & Roll™ entrees or Egg Rolls. While there, download our FREE Asian Dinner Party Planner!

Can't wait to try these other Kahiki products as well!!!!

**Because I love sharing family tips that make life easier, I've partnered with BabbleBox.com and Single Edition Media on this post. All opinions are my own.






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Easy and Delicious Easter Desserts

This year Easter is on my radar early...mainly because Riley's birthday also falls on Easter this year.  BUT, there are also some activities, recipes, and traditions I want to do with our family that requires some prep and planning, and I want to start those before Easter is upon us (T-minus 2 weeks).  As alway, I want my family to celebrate a Christ-centered Easter.  We don't do the Easter bunny, but we do make plenty of desserts and give baskets.  So about those desserts.....
I've mentioned probably no less than 100 times that Easter candy is my weakness.  I mean, SweetTart Jelly Beans just about slay me.  So it's really no wonder that all the cutesy Easter desserts are begging me to make them at my earliest convenience, also.  Assuming I've got some fellow sweet-lovers out there, I've rounded up 10 of the easiest and most adorable Easter desserts you can start making for your family NOW.  From Muddy Buddies, to Bunny Cupcakes, to Easter Blondies...there's a recipe for everyone!
Now, I've just got to decide which to make first!!!!

1.  Easter Egg Dessert Tray

2.  Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

3.  Easter Rice Krispie Cups

4.  Lucky Charms Munch

5.  Cupcake Bouquet

6.  Bunny Butt Cupcakes

7.  Easter Muddy Buddies

8.  Spring Butterfly Cupcakes

9.  Easter M&M Blondies

10.  Pink Ambrosia Salad

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Currently...

Remembering:  A post I did a few years back on what to do with all the leftover Halloween candy and how I'm planning to apply the same method this year.  We ended up not attending our church's Trunk-Or-Treat, so at least our candy yields won't be over the top this year...which is totally fine with my waistline.  side note:  I need to start running again...ugh.
Giggling About:  A post I wrote for Austin Moms Blog last week...10 Signs You're Living in a Girl's World.  I had so much fun writing this post because it is totally MY LIFE and I just know other mommas of girls can relate.  Naked Barbies, no toilet paper EVER, sassy attitudes, etc.
Planning:  I'm putting together a Holiday Gift Guide Pinterest board which will translate into several gift guides here on the blog.  My SIL Dena (aka the best gift giver EVER) will be providing her talents in compiling these guides...make sure to stay posted and let me know if you'd like to see something specific featured!
Anxiously awaiting:  DO YOU KNOW WHAT SATURDAY IS???  Of course to most people it's merely the day after Halloween and the first day of November...BUT, I consider it the beginning of Christmas Music listening season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Pandora and I will be inseparable for the next two months...BFFs until Christmas, at which time I'll totally drop her like a bad habit.
Interested to know:  What is your favorite ski resort?  I've skied quite a few resorts in Colorado, a couple in New Mexico, and one in California...but have always wanted to visit a Utah mountain.  This December, we're heading up to the darling town of Breckenridge for a little trip.  Tyler Bree and Riley skied last year in Angel Fire, so I'm hoping they'll remember how!
Baking:  Cinnamon Swirl Pumpkin Banana Bread...I made this the other day and it lasted approximately 1/4 of a day in our house.  Slather it up with some Irish butter and you've got an Autumn party in your mouth!  I'm trying out all sorts of new pumpkin recipes these days...I'll make sure to share if I come across any more get-in-my-mouth-now recipes!
Keeping a secret:  Guess what?!?  We're taking our kids on another Disney Cruise!!!!  You can see my comparison of a Disney cruise to others HERE...which pretty much sums up how I feel about it.  SO EXCITED....but shhhhh, we aren't telling the kids until Christmas!  I've got to think of a fun way to divulge the secret.  Last time we did a scavenger hunt, but I'm thinking of maybe puzzle pieces that fit together this time.  And I've got to keep my dang mouth shut!  I've almost let it slip out more times than I can count...thankfully I still have gullible children.  :)
DIYing:  Since we've moved into our new house, Blake has put his handy skills to work with several DIYs....remember the Barn Doors, Industrial Shelves, and the most recent Windmill Kitchen Light?  Well, I have another one for him...enter a new kitchen table.  Our table has seen better days and we either need to spruce it up a bit to be more like this table OR build a whole new one like this Anthropologie-inspired one.  Which one do you like best???  

>>>Feel free to share your "currentlies" and tag me so I can come check out your list.  Happy Monday friends...I hope it's a Spooktacular week for ya'!!!!


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I'll See You at See's!

Last week, I was invited to a media event for the grand opening of See's Candies here in Austin.  Not only did I jump at the chance to go, but I knew the perfect "plus one" to take with me...my friend Julie, who's a See's fanatic to the core.
The evening consisted of some history of See's (super interesting by the way), a Lucy and Ethel style box packing race (in fact, they got the idea for that I Love Lucy episode from See's), and LOTS of chocolate eating.  They sent us home with enough chocolate to last at least until Easter!

Some cool things I learned about See's...
-See's Candies uses no added preservatives.  Thumbs up! -The company is owned by Berkshire Hathaway...which basically means Warren Buffet.  Clearly, it's a stellar company. -Once a mom and pop shop in California, See's has become a hugely national brand, and they're currently taking it eastward...hello Austin! -Employees truly love working for See's and their retention rate is amazing...employees have been at Sees for decades!  You can really see their pride in how they speak about See's!

For you locals, the new Austin Sees is located at 10710 Research Blvd.  I highly recommend checking them out...and when you do, make sure to get the Scotchmallows (heaven), the Bordeaux (party in your mouth), and the Jellybird Eggs (you've never had anything like this, I promise).  Sees has an enormous selection of specialty candy just for Easter...it's quite a cultural phenomenon in California, and I foresee it becoming the same for Austinites, as Sees will be a traditional go-to for holidays!

What's YOUR favorite See's Candy???

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Pear, Almond, Goat Cheese Snack

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

Today is about making heart shaped pancakes, writing love notes, and attending my girl's Valentine's party at school.  No "couple" plans tonight, but hopefully tomorrow our plan to eat out at one of our favorite restaurants will hold up.

What are you up to this LOVE DAY?

So to express my luv, I thought I'd share a little something I've made several times now for a healthy snack or lunch, with which I'm totally in luv.  Each time I eat this little concoction, I congratulate my taste buds on getting to experience all these wonderful flavors at once!

Yum to the max!

(yeah, I said yum to the max.)

Slice up half of a sweet, juicy, ripe pear (or the whole thing if you're hungry).

Get 'cha some goat cheese and roughly chop a handful of almonds

Pour some honey over it all...be generous with this, as the sweetness will counter the tangy goat cheese.

Stir and combine.  I like to add some cinnamon (not pictured) and sometimes stir in a couple tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt (not pictured).  Enjoy!

***********************************

So tomorrow is the big day.  My first Friday Best Of Style Link Up!

Come check out the week's best of style posts and link up your own favorite of the week.

Grab a button!

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Valentine's Recipe: Sweetheart Popcorn

The sole purpose for me keeping the combination of popcorn, almond bark, and cake mix in the house is for making this kind of can't-stop-shoving-in-my-mouth popcorn snack.  (Those ingredients are the makings of pure joy, I tell ya.)  I've made Birthday Cake popcorn, Halloween popcorn, and of course this stuff of which I crave on the daily.

I bought these cute little Valentine's sprinkles weeks ago with this recipe in mind.  It's quick, easy, and is visually appealing (read: would be a perfect V-day gift).

Here's the shopping list:

Valentine's Sprinkles

Pink or Red sugar sprinkles

Valentine's M&Ms (I used peanut butter, but any will work)

1 bag popcorn

1 package while almond bark

1/2 cup cake mix (any will do...I actually think strawberry would be cute for this too)

>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<

1.  Pop popcorn.  Do not burn.  Empty into very large bowl (so you have room to stir all the goodness together).  Get kernels out...no one needs a cracked tooth.

2.  Melt chocolate in microwave

3.  Stir in 1/2 cup cake mix

4.  Pour over popcorn and stir

5.  Add in sprinkles....however many you'd like.  Make it pretty.

6.  Spread out on wax paper

7.  Add M&Ms and slightly push them into the popcorn....just enough that they'll stick once the chocolate is hard

8.  Add some more sprinkles for kicks.

9.  Let harden (about 30 minutes) and break into pieces.

10.  Try not to eat it all before dinner.

 Package up this yummy goodness with a cute bow and there you have yourself a sweet gift for a teacher, friend, neighbor, or your Valentine.

*If you don't want to share, no judging here.  ::wink, wink::

Cleansing: My Closet & Myself

Well, I wasn't able to deliver on that striped dress I hinted at earlier this week due to a couple of "deal breakers" found on it.  BUT, I have added some items to Shop My Closet, as well as some price reductions.  My closet will be going through a shoes and accessories cleanse pretty soon, so make sure to check back regularly.

Speaking of cleansing (of which I wasn't going to mention, but decided what the heck), I'm currently on day 3 of the Dr. Oz detox cleanse.  Yesterday, I was near death.  Today, I think I have a little pep in my step.  All I want on this last day, is to look at my Instagram feed and not have major cravings from all the yummy stuff people post on there!  I mean seriously folks, can ya' just hold off on the food pics until roughly 10pm tonight?  My irrational cravings and pitiful stomach would greatly appreciate it.

Truthfully though, I really haven't noticed an "ah-ha" moment of feeling detoxed.  Maybe that's yet to come.  All I've felt is some pretty major headaches (I'm guessing from caffeine withdrawal) and some body aches.  This is my first cleanse, so I didn't really know what to expect.

I will stick through today, but I make no promises about my ravenous behaviour tomorrow.  Don't tell anyone, but I already have my "1st real meal" planned as well as these treats that The Pioneer Woman posted about yesterday.

It's like she knew I was smack dab in the throws of a detox...just taunting me....grrrr.

Have you ever detoxed with a cleanse?  Are you a fan?

linking up with Shanna

Homemade Pepperoni Rolls

A while back, I pinned a recipe for homemade pepperoni rolls like Double Dave's.  Let me tell you, if you've never tasted one of these, they're pretty much to-die-for.  When we're in town (Austin), it's impossible to pass up a Double Dave's, or their ranch dressing for that matter.  So imagine my anticipation and salivation when I finally decided to try these babies for myself from the recipe on Pinterest.

It turns out, I'm a dough snob.  The recipe called for pre-made dough along with some other ingredients I didn't care to feed my family.  Enter: homemade pizza dough and winging the rest of it!

I often make Pioneer Woman's pizza dough.  It's so incredibly easy and it makes enough for two pizzas.  (side note:  ALL of her pizza recipes are delish...my favorite is the prosciutto, arugula, fig, to which I add goat cheese)

If you follow me on Instagram (@kjansen) I posted the "steps" portion of this recipe last night, however, I'm a big airhead and deleted the pics...so just imagine, okay?

It really can't get much easier than this:
1.  Roll out half the pizza dough
2.  Cut into triangles the size of a man's hand (I know, weird) using a pizza slicer.
3.  Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese and lay out 4-6 pepperonis.
4.  Starting at the pointed end, roll away and pinch the seams together.
5.  Bake at 500 for 10-15 minutes depending on how thick you make them.

*Just FYI, I ended up using all the dough and our family ate all but 4 of them.

Eat them hot with ranch or marinara and then go get seconds!  I ate the leftovers today, and they were even better!  Enjoy!

The Method to My {Candy} Madness

Remember when I asked what to do with all my kids' Halloween candy?

Well, after throwing away TONS of it (suckers and the crappy junk), I couldn't bring myself to trash the good stuff.  It would be such a waste of solid, teeth-rotting sugar.  Don't you agree?

So I decided to get a little organized.  I know....who AM I???

This is the breakdown:

-I always see recipes for M&Ms (like this reDONKulous popcorn cake) but never have them.  Problem solved.

-And Skittles are my new counting medium for my (almost) three year old's preschool math.

-What better, non-mess-making candy to take along than Smarties for those times when Momma is in a pinch?  Doctors office, grocery store, bribing.

-There are really no words needed to explain the bag on the right.  Momma's stash.  Need I say more?

-Daddy is a fan of these babies, however, I also have some good recipes that call for Reeses PB cups, so I might just go ahead and save the hubs some calories.
-I'm not a fan of Starbursts.  Horrible for the teeth.  But once in a while won't bring any cavities and I think they're the perfect little lunch box treat to surprise my two school-age girls.  Upon further thought...I might throw out all the yellows....because really.

If you're still waist deep in Halloween candy, feel free to employ my method.  I can't promise you won't gain weight by keeping all this candy around, but at least you'll feel better that it's organized and assigned a "job".

Because every candy needs a purpose.  Even if it's job is to go straight to my thighs.