sneaky snacktime... and a VISA gift card giveaway!

I have never been a juice mom. My kids drink water and milk, and are perfectly happy with both.  I don't dislike juice, I just don't find it necessary in my kids' already sugar-full diet.

But having toddlers and a 10 year old who are very picky about what they eat has made me realize that sneaking healthy stuff into anything I can is a good idea.

I make the boys a lot of smoothies packed with greens when I can... but sometimes I just don't have the time.  And that is where this new Capri Sun Super V drink comes in!

We all know that kids of all ages love Capri Sun... partly for the fun container and of course because it tastes good.  I have never thought of it as more than a special treat though, so it has not been a regular in our house.

This new version, Super V, is full of veggies and just as tasty as the original.

And even better, I feel great serving it to my kids, the littles have no idea their fun treat is loaded with veggies, and my 10 year old doesn't care about the veggies because it tastes so good!

It's a win-win for all of us!!

Oh, and to make things even more exciting... I found Capri Sun Super V at my local Costco. Man, my life just got a little easier!

If you like the idea of a sneakily-healthy snack-time, make some of my No-Bake Cookie Dough Energy Bites to serve with your Super V.

The kids have no idea they are getting a healthy energy-boost, and you can feel good snacking right along with them!

Cookie Dough Energy Bites Recipe

adapted from smashed peas and carrots

Ingredients:

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup sweetened or unsweetened flaked coconut

1/2 cup ground almonds, ground flaxseed, or wheat germ

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1/2 cup creamy peanut or almond butter

1/4 cup raw honey

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together until well combined. You may want to use your [clean] hands for this... it's much easier!!

Once completely combined, roll the dough into small balls and place on a parchment or wax-paper lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge or freezer until completely set before serving... at least an hour.

Store in tupperware in the fridge or freezer!

-----

Now for a sweepstakes sponsored by BlogHer for a $1000 Visa Gift Card and a $500 runner up Gift Card.

Simply comment below answering this question:
How do you incorporate fruits and veggies into your kids' diets?

Learn more about the new Capri Sun Super V on Facebook and check out BlogHer.com to find more Capri Sun Super V reviews!

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
Entries from all participating blogs will be pooled for winner selection; only two entries per household. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 8/16/2012-9/16/2012.

*Disclaimer: This is a compensated post for Kraft Capri-Sun and BlogHer. I was given Capri Sun Super V to try... but as usual, my opinions are mine and mine alone!

my top 5 must-have baby items... after 3 babies!

I was changing Maren's diaper this morning (baby #3!) and for some reason, my mind started going through my all-time favorite baby items...  that I still love and use, or wish I had found 3 years ago!

I was mostly cataloging them for myself, but I realized you might like to hear my list (I'd love to hear yours!) so here it is, in no specific order:

JJ Cole Diaper Caddy - This thing is a life-saver when it comes to changing-table organization.  The carrier is amazing and makes switching up changing locations a breeze ('cause we all know diapers don't always get changed on the changing table!).  But the best part is the pad!  It is a totally wipe-able plastic pad...  meaning you never have to stop and changing a changing pad cover in the middle of the night or after a major blow-out.  A few wipes and you're golden!

Skip Hop Changing Station - I love love love this thing.  In the past 3 1/2 years of diaper changes I have used this thousands of times.  Every time we leave this house, this is with us.  In fact, I used mine so often that I just had to replace it with a new one because I wore it out!!  I especially love that I can grab this and take it in places with me and leave my big diaper bag in the car.

Grovia Magic Stick - This is one of those 'I just discovered this, but I wish I had found it 3 years ago' items.  I can't believe how much I love this thing!  It's cloth-diaper friendly (super important for us, since we use cloth part-time), and the best best part?  It's hands-free!!  Yep!  No hands involved in applying messy diaper cream.  I love it so much and I know Baby Girl is happier since I use it every time I change her diaper because it's so easy.  Oh and I used it on 3 1/2 year old Bjørn when he got a rash lately and he immediately said "Oh!  That feels better Mommy!".  From the mouths of babes!

ERGObaby Carrier - This carrier kind of goes without saying if you know us at all.  I couldn't survive Baby Land without it.  Life is easier, my babies are happier, my hands are free, and my back is ache-free.  All adding up to to make for a happier mom and a happier family!  I used a bunch of different carriers/wraps/slings, but this one is always my favorite.

Aden + Anais Dream Blanket - This is a bit more of a luxury item, but it still lands on the Top 5 Must Haves list for me.  Each of my kids has one and they are the blanket we all reach for most often.  Right now Maren's sweet cupcake and fairy one sits on the chair where we cuddle and nurse.  Both of us love being wrapped up in it, and it's generous size makes it big enough for even my big toddlers to use!

These are the few things I can't live without in New Baby Land...

What are your must-have New Baby Land items?

Disclaimer:  This post is not sponsored or encouraged by anybody.  These companies do not know I exist and I was not sent these products for review.  I just love these items and wanted to share them with you!  (I do, however, earn a few pennies if you buy these through my Amazon store - the links provided - which just helps cover my blogging/grocery bills.  I appreciate your support!)

thick, creamy, luscious... Dove body wash! And a $500 spa gift card giveaway!

Yep, there's just no other way to describe this stuff!

The first squirt out of the bottle is impressive all on its own.  I was immediately impressed at how thick and creamy it is, and the smell is exactly what I like...

Fresh, clean, soap.

I am not a fan of getting out of the shower smelling like I rinsed my body off in sugar.  I like to smell soapy but not in an overwhelming way...  just, clean.

I was recently given a chance to try the new Dove Visible Care Renewing Body Wash from Dove's revolutionary new premium line, and I have really been impressed.

I have always had super dry and itchy skin, especially when I am pregnant, and I haven't been itchy or needed lotion at all since I started using this stuff.

That's pretty amazing to me!

And my super-sensitive pregnant nose also loves the way this smells, on me and on my husband.  There is nothing offensive about it and we all smell clean and fresh and sparkly.

Yep.  Sparkly.  That's how it smells.  Sparkly and fresh.

We have always been a Dove family, but this new line of body washes has the highest concentration of NutriumMoisture technology of all Dove products and we can definitely tell the difference.

There are 3 varieties of this new line:

• Toning, promotes skin elasticity and strength
• Renewing, nourishes and replenishes skin
• Softening, softens skin and dry spots

We have been using the Renewing wash and my skin feels amazing.  (And I think it looks pretty great too!  No more dry patches or roughness...  just healthy, radiant skin.)

With regular use, this body wash gives you visibly more beautiful skin in just one week!

I really can't wait to try the Softening version when we run out of this bottle.  Especially this winter, I already know it will make a huge difference in how comfortable I feel in my skin!

Visit Dove's website for more information on their products and to learn more about why I love them so much as a company.

Their campaign to encourage real beauty and real women has always made me happy to show them my support and proud to use their products.  They promote a message I want my daughter to understand:

Real beauty is more about how you feel in your skin than how you look.  And real women do not look like the pictures in magazines!

Are you a Dove fan? What is your favorite thing about Dove or their products?

---

Visit Dove^® VisibleCare^® to get a coupon for $1 off!

Enter to win one of two $500 Spafinder gift certificates!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY

COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES.  PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that Tweet.
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.  Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.  Winners will have 72 hours to claim the prize, or an alternative winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/18/2012 - 8/22/2012

Be sure to visit the Dove^® VisibleCare™ Crème Body Wash brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

I am so excited...

...to be a part of Maytag Kitchen Ambassadors!

And now you're thinking "What in the world is that?!" and "Why is she so excited?", right?

Well, let me tell you!

As a part of Maytag's Kitchen Ambassador program, my family and I will be receiving a whole new suite of kitchen appliances from Maytag later this month!

(A new range, microwave, fridge and dishwasher!  Eeeek!!!!!  Can you feel the excitement?!)

Ok, so I know this may not be super exciting for you personally, but as my friends I hope you will be excited for me.  And I am thrilled to be able to try out these new appliances and tell you guys all about them!!

Yes, we have a very nice kitchen (thanks to my amazing kitchen designer/builder husband!) but our appliances seem to all be hitting that 10-ish year mark where they all start to die.

Or rather they all start to break down slowly and annoyingly (oven that doesn't heat well on the bottom, freezer with broken ice maker, dishwasher that just don't get the dishes very clean, microwave that sparks...) but not enough to justify buying new appliances when money is already tight.

Being a cook and a baker, having an oven that doesn't heat efficiently is probably my biggest frustration in life.

Being pregnant and needing to drink lots and lots of water makes me very frustrated to not have ice!

And...  I have to pretty much wash all of our dishes before they go into the dishwasher because it doesn't work well.  Basically, I am exhausted.

And this new set of kitchen appliances could not be coming at a better time, with baby #3 on the way in a few short weeks...  I need all the help in the kitchen that I can get!

Maybe they even be here soon enough for me to get some freezer-meal prep done for baby's arrival?!

I have to say I am most excited about the range (the oven has a much bigger capacity than our little convection oven) and the new fridge...  I can already feel my life getting a tiny bit easier just thinking about them.

I'm sure I will have lots to share with you guys (and some great pictures!) once the new appliances get here...

And lots more motivation to get into the kitchen and bake and cook new things for you, since I won't be working with appliances that drive me crazy!

WooHoo!!!

I wrote this post participating in a Maytag Moms Dependable Kitchen Ambassador program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Maytag.  I was provided with a Maytag kitchen appliances set, including a refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, and range to facilitate my post.

a fun, new summery drink!

You all know I love to share fun new things with you when I find them.

This new summer-drink is no exception!

We (and by we, I mean my husband and friends, because being 7 months pregnant I am obviously not drinking these days!) recently discovered Michelob ULTRA Light Cider, a brand new different & fun summery drink.

I was bummed that I couldn't have any, but my husband did a great job of describing it to me:

"It's a fresh, crisp, very light & sweet summery drink.  Almost like having a nice cold lemon-lime soda, but with a kick and a sweet hint of apple behind it.  Very refreshing and very easy to drink, it makes you feel like you should be laying in the sun by the pool!"

Sounds pretty good to me!  I am looking forward to trying it myself later this summer...  hopefully over a glass of crushed ice, while I'm laying by the pool!

Michelob ULTRA Light Cider is a much lighter version of a traditional hard cider.  1/3 fewer calories*, much less heavy, sweet and just overall more refreshing.  It would be a great substitute for your usual white wine or champagne!

And another fun little tidbit that makes me smile...  It is naturally sweetened, made from hand-picked apples, and it also happens to be Gluten Free!

My eyes have recently been opened up to the world of Gluten-Free eating, and even though it's not a need in my family right now, it still makes me happy to see more and more companies embracing the needs of people who used to have such a hard time finding fun new things that they could enjoy without worry.

If you're looking for a refreshing treat next time the sun is out and you'd like to try something new, give this Light Cider a try!

Want to know more?  Check out Michelob's website (Sponsor's Site) or the Michelob ULTRA Light Cider page on Blogher.com!

(Michelob ULTRA Light cider is available nationwide in six-packs of 12-ounce clear glass bottles...  on their website there's a handy little tool where you can plug in your zipcode for a specific list of stores where it's available near you!)

*Michelob ULTRA Light Cider has 1/3 less calories than an average of the leading regular hard ciders, 120 cal./serving in light hard cider vs. 180 cal./serving in an average of the leading hard ciders!

**Dislaimer:  This is a paid review for BlogHer and Michelob.  I was given this product free to review.  My opinions are my own (and my friends and family's!) and only what I would say to you if you were sitting with me at my kitchen table!

postpartum belly binding

Yep, you heard right.  I am going to talk to you about postpartum belly binding!  (If you are not pregnant, not going to be pregnant, or don't know anyone who is or may be pregnant someday, please feel free to ignore this post and scroll down for some yummy recipes!)

Right now, I am pregnant with my 3rd child.  I used postpartum belly binding in the form of a Belly Bandit after both of my last pregnancies and will be happily doing so again after this baby gets here.

After baby #1, I had the Belly Bandit on by the 2nd day I was home (after all the water-weight was gone from my IV-fluids).  After baby #2, I had the Belly Bandit on within minutes of getting out of the tub where he was born!

One thing I can tell you for sure...  these things feel amazing.

Besides the claims that they bring back your shape faster (which they do, by the way... as long as you use them exactly how they are intended!), they are incredibly supportive and comfortable when your back and ab muscles are so sore and weak after a long pregnancy!

New moms in countries all around the world have been using belly binding postpartum as a cultural norm for centuries...  I think they're pretty smart and I'm glad I found this little treasure before I had my first child!

In case you're wondering, because I know you are, yes, belly binding will help you tremendously even if this is not your first pregnancy.  Any time you have given birth is a great time to support and tone your back and stomach muscles and bring your core back together quicker and easier!

Have you tried, or thought about trying, Postpartum Belly Binding?  Do you have any specific questions for me?

I'm very passionate about this topic, and I'd love to chat with you more about it!

*Disclaimer:  This is not a sponsored post.  I love Belly Bandit, found them on my own, have used them twice, soon to be 3 times and wanted to share how much I've learned with you!

Haakon's blankie... a giveaway!

Did you ever have a lovey when you were a child?

What about your children?

A blankie... or a teddy bear... or a toy...

Something that they have to have with them...  especially at sleep time?

Bjørn never did, but Haakon found this little blankie (that I mostly used for nursing support) and cannot live without it!

He won't sleep without it, and if he sees it, even across the room, a big smile lights up his face.

It's adorable.  Beyond adorable.  It melts my heart, every time.

So, we finally had to go ahead an order a 'backup' blankie a little while ago.  Unfortunately I realized after it showed up that I had ordered the wrong color (gasp!)...  but thankfully he doesn't seem to care.

He does know that there are 2 blankies (as Bjørn often feels the need to copy him and cuddle with the "over bankie") but he is happy with either one, so we're good for now!

AllyZabba has offered to give away a free TravelZabba in the color of your choice to one winner from my readers!  

The Travel Zabba is the smaller-sized cuddle blanket that Haakon has, and it is perfect!  Small enough to carry around without dragging everywhere, but big enough to cuddle and find easily in his bed at night.

Also, for the rest of you, they have generously offered my readers a 15% off discount code for anything on their website!  Shop away!!

The AllyZabba discount code is:  sweet15

To enter the giveaway:

1 (MANDATORY) entry:  Leave a comment on this post telling me what your (or your kids!) lovey was!

1 optional entry:  Like Sweet Anna's on Facebook and come back and comment that you did!

1 more optional entry:  Like AllyZabba on Facebook and come back and comment that you did!

(For a total of 3 possible entries!)

This giveaway ends on December 30th at 11:59pm PST.  The winner will be contacted via email and announced on Facebook the next day!  

And the winner is:

Vanessa!  (Congratulations!!)  Check your email and get back to me soon!

Disclaimer:  I was not compensated in any way for this review!  Haakon fell in love with this blanket on his own, and I contacted the company to see if they would be interested in doing a giveaway of our favorite lovey!

Our holiday festivities will be in full swing starting tomorrow, so I won't be posting for a few days!  Have a wonderful Christmas friends...  and we'll see you back here soon!

it's a MommyParty!

Earlier this week, I was able to host a Britax-sponsored Pregnancy 2.0 MommyParty for some of my friends and fellow mamas!

It was such a fun evening of gabbing, eating, and of course...  checking out all the fun products we were sent to enjoy!

The Britax stroller, car seat & baby carrier definitely stole the show!

I am in love with this Britax B-Agile stoller, and so are my boys.  To give you an idea of the ease of use...  my barely walking one year old can easily push around his almost 40lb 3 1/2 year old big brother!

And one-handed folding and un-folding?  Wonderful!

I can't wait to get a chance to use this soon!  (We don't get out much.)  :o)

Also there were lots of goodies for the mamas to take home...

Sponsored by Xclear and others- children's nasal spray, gum, infant tooth gel, coupons, brochures, and more.

Thanks for putting together such a great evening, Britax & MommyParties!  It was fun!!

(And thank you to all who were able to come!  We loved having you!!)

*Disclaimer:  These products were provided to me free of charge, but the opinions are all mine... and my friends!

salted-caramel mocha pie, peppermint mocha pie... and a Torani syrup giveaway!

Salted caramel is all the rage lately, isn't it?  Everything from salted caramel candies to salted caramel mochas and hot chocolates...  it almost seems you can't find caramel without salt these days!

I'm certainly not saying that's a bad thing though!

Salt brings out the flavors in everything (which is why we use it in baking!) and especially does something amazing to caramel.  

This Salted Caramel Mocha Cream Pie is no exception!

I was recently sent 2 bottles of Torani flavored syrups to try out in some of my holiday baking...  Salted Caramel & Peppermint!  

I already adore Torani peppermint syrup in my hot chocolate, and for flavoring whipped cream (we all know how much I love peppermint & chocolate together!)...  

But the first thing I thought of when I saw the flavors was chocolate cream pies flavored with these fun flavors and matched up with delicious coffee liqueur!

Rich smooth, creamy chocolate with a hint of sweet, salty caramel or cool, refreshing peppermint...  these pies are a special treat, that's for sure!

I actually made two different pies at the same time, one salted caramel mocha pie and one peppermint mocha pie...  and they were both amazing and came together in no time!  

Try this recipe if you want an easy no-bake treat for the holidays.  Your guests will love you for it!

(The alcohol from in the pies is very minimal.  But feel free to substitute some very strong cold coffee instead of the coffee liqueur if you'd like!)

Salted Caramel Mocha Pie & Peppermint Mocha Pie Recipe

adapted from she wears many hats

Ingredients:

for the crust:

18 regular (not double-stuffed) oreo cookies

3 tablespoons melted butter

for the filling:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons coffee liqueur

2 tablespoons Torani salted caramel syrup or peppermint syrup

Directions:

Place the 18 cookies in a gallon ziploc bag, remove the air, seal & crush with a rolling pin until there are only fine crumbs.  Pour in the melted butter and mix up until the crumbs all combined and moistened.  

Press the crumb mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9" pie plate and place in the freezer to set while you make the filling.

Melt the chocolate chips carefully in the microwave.  Stir every 30 seconds until smooth.  Place in the fridge to cool down a bit while you whip the cream.

In a medium bowl, whip the cream with the sugar until soft peaks form.  Slowly whip in the liqueur and syrup until just blended.  

Scoop the melted chocolate into the side of the whipped cream bowl and gently fold in with a spatula until completely incorporated...  being careful not to deflate all the whipped cream!

Spoon the filling into the chilled pie crust and place into the fridge to set for at least 4 hours or overnight.  Serve with lots of fresh whipped cream!!

Disclaimer:  I was given the Torani syrups free of charge, but my opinions of them are mine!  I have loved and used them for years... so I was thrilled about this SheSpeaks sponsored review opportunity!

Click here for more reviews on Torani's Salted Caramel Syrup and here for more reviews on their Peppermint Syrup!

And the giveaway...  [UPDATE:  The giveaway is now closed!  Coupons will be mailed ASAP.  Winners, I hope you enjoy your Torani syrups!!]

I have 5 coupons for a FREE full-sized bottle of Torani syrup!  And because I just love you all so much...  I will send the first 5 people to comment on this post one of the coupons!!  (Please leave your email in the comment so I can contact you for your address!)

And if you don't win...  here's a coupon code for 10% off your purchase at Torani.com!

Indestructibles books for baby [a giveaway!]

Oh I have such a fun giveaway for you today!!  Indestructibles...  perfect water-proof, tear-resistant and baby-durable books that your kiddos and you will love!

These amazing books can even be thrown in the washing machine!  Isn't that amazing?!

The best part about these books?  They look and feel like real paper!!

You know...  the kind that your kiddos inevitably reach for, even though they are climbing over a pile of the usual baby-friendly cardboard and squishy books!

Now the little ones can play with the same kind of books mommy & daddy do, without causing any damage!  Yay!

Indestructibles has offered to giveaway 2 of their fabulous books to one of my readers!

Plip-Plop Pond & Old Macdonald Has A Farm!

If you'd like to buy one of these fabulous indestructible books...  click here.

But of course, it's so much more fun to win stuff...  so enter this giveaway!!

One mandatory entry:

* Leave a comment on this post, telling me what your favorite children's book is!

Two additional optional entries:

* Follow BOTH Sweet Anna's & Indestructibles on Facebook and come back and comment that you did.

* Share this post on Facebook and come back and comment that you did!

Rules:
This giveaway will end at 11:59pm PST on Tuesday, November 22nd.  The winner will be contacted by email and announced on Facebook the next morning and the books will be sent directly from the publisher!

Disclaimer:  I was not compensated for this review.  The opinion herein are mine and mine alone!  (Well, and my kiddos...  but you know what I mean!)

UPDATE:  This giveaway is now closed!

And the winner is...  

#24!  Simone!!  Congratulations!  :o)  I know you'll love the books!!

a BeaterBlade review & giveaway!

There really is a product that not only eliminates the need to stop and scrape down the bowl while mixing, but also cuts down over all mixing time?!  Genius!

Earlier this week I received one of these amazing inventions - the BeaterBlade - to review.  Can I just tell you, I don't think I have ever been so excited to get something in the mail?

(If you use your stand mixer a lot, and have heard about the BeaterBlade...  you probably understand that excitement!) 

I have already used it several times since, and oh my goodness am I a BeaterBlade convert!  It really does mix things so much more quickly and efficiently...  and makes me want to use my stand mixer even more than I already do!

I made a double-batch of banana bread and it was all perfectly mixed in about 2 minutes total!  With NO stopping and scraping!!

From the company's website: "BeaterBlade® and BeaterBlade Pro continuously beats, scrapes and folds ingredients for KitchenAid®, Cuisinart™, Viking®, and Kenwood® stand mixers, making BeaterBlade one of the most efficient tools in today's kitchen.  It virtually eliminates hand-scraping the bowl and batter build-up on the blades.  Ingredients are thoroughly incorporated ensuring foolproof mixing and baking preparation.  BeaterBlade and BeaterBlade Pro cuts mixing time by up to 50% and minimizes batter build-up on the beater and blade.  Both models are Made in the USA and UL Certified to ANSI/NSF2 Commercial Standards.  Patented BeaterBlade "wing-system" design acts like a wiper blade that continuously scrapes the sides and bottom of bowl while it mixes.  Oh, and BeaterBlade is also a Spatula!"

Want to try one for yourself??  Well, you can of course go buy one...  but why not try to win one first?

NewMetro Design has graciously offered to giveaway a BeaterBlade to one of my readers!

[And yes, this giveaway is also open to all of my lovely Canadian readers!!]

To enter:

(1) go "like" both BeaterBlade's and Sweet Anna's facebook pages and come back here and comment that you did.*

That one is mandatory.

For up to 2 additional entries:

(1) follow both BeaterBlade and me on twitter and come back here and comment that you did!

(1) share this post on Facebook or on Twitter and come back here and comment that you did (please include a tag to @sweetannas.com on facebook... or #annaliseree on twitter!).

That's a total of 3 entries if you want 'em!  Let me tell you (as if I haven't already!)...  you are going to LOVE this product!  (Especially in time for all the holiday baking ahead of us!)

The Fine Print:  This giveaway will end on Tuesday, October 18th at 11:59pm PST.  The winner will be announced on Sweet Anna's facebook page and contacted by email if possible.  The winner will then be able to choose which BeaterBlade model they need and it will be sent directly from the manufacturer.  This giveaway is open to all of my US and Canadian readers!   


(*If you do NOT use facebook at all, then you may enter this giveaway by becoming a blog follower - over on the right hand side - and letting me know that you did, and that you don't have FB!)

UPDATE:  Giveaway is now closed!  And the winner is...  comment #12...  Jessica!

Congratulations and happy baking!!

Moon Dough Push 'n Pop Breakfast Set review...

You all know how much I dislike store-bought playdough, right?  (That's why I like to make my own!)

So, when I was given the opportunity to have my boys try out this new & improved Moon Dough*...  let's just say I was a little skeptical!

But when it comes to keeping my boys entertained for 5 minutes seconds (who am I kidding?!) I will try just about anything!

I have to say, I am super impressed with this stuff!

Seriously, I wish you could reach through the screen and feel this stuff right now.  It is crazy-cool feeling!  Powdery, yet not crumbly.  Dry, yet not stiff.  Moldable, yet not sticky.  It's just plain clean feeling and I love it!

Of course I was also super impressed with the Breakfast Set, and so were the boys!  Pancakes, waffles, french toast...  perfect for keeping them entertained while I make our real breakfast in the mornings!

*Fun Facts:  Moon Dough is coming out with a brand spanking new dough formula. What does that mean? This new dough is less crumbly and never dries out. This odor-free dough now features a better consistency for even more molding fun!  (And in case you are wondering, my 9-year-old agrees that this new formula is definitely better than the old!)

Disclaimer:  I was given this product free for review.  I was not otherwise compensated and my opinions are mine and mine alone!  Well, I guess they are my kids' too, but you know what I mean... 

quick caramel apple coffee cake [New Favorites challenge, week 2]

Apple-filled coffee cake with a sweet cinnamon streusel topping and a rich caramel sauce!

For this second week of my New Favorites challenge, I grabbed Gale Gand's "short + sweet" cookbook.  I grabbed it mostly out of necessity, actually, as I had a friend coming over and no time!

The tag line of this book?  "Quick desserts with eight ingredients or less."  Perfect!!

I skimmed through and quickly chose Elsie's Quick Apple Coffee Cake, because I had all the ingredients.

Of course, I altered the recipe a bit...  adding more cinnamon, doubling the topping & drizzling caramel sauce over the top!

I must say, this was a wonderful fall coffee cake, and I will definitely be going back to this cookbook again!

Quick Caramel Apple Coffee Cake Recipe
adapted from Gale Gand's "short + sweet" Cookbook

Ingredients:
for the cake:
1 1/2 cups flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 medium apples, peeled and chopped (about 2 cups)
for the topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400ºF.  Butter an 8-inch square baking dish.

for the cake:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon and salt.

In a small bowl, stir together the egg, milk and melted butter.  Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until combined.

Stir in the diced apples and mix well.  Spread the batter into the buttered baking dish.

for the topping:
In a medium bowl, stir together the sugars, flour, and cinnamon.  Add in the butter, rubbing together quickly with your fingers, until the mixture is all combined and crumbly.

Sprinkle evenly over the batter in the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden and dry on top.

risotto [New Favorites challenge, week 1]

For this first week of my "New Favorites" challenge, I went to my cookbook-laden bookshelf and quite randomly pulled out a book.  Risotto, by Maxine Clark.  Pretty self-explanatory title there for ya!  :o)  I bought this book a few years ago on impulse and hadn't gotten around to trying any of the recipes yet!

Simple enough... I love risotto!  Something about it's creamy richness and the simple, continuously hands-on preparation just speaks to my foodie-soul.  And I just happened to have a few steaks thawing for an undetermined meal that would be great with a side of creamy, rich risotto!

Looking through the book at all the beautiful, drool-inspiring photos and recipes...  I was quickly drawn to the Artichoke & Pecorino Risotto Recipe.  It was everything I wanted...  creamy rice, rich cheese, tangy wine, earthy pan-seared artichoke hearts...  and to make things even better - I had all the ingredients I needed on hand!

Let me just tell you...  I will be going back to this cookbook again and again when I have risotto cravings!  Wow.  Just...  wow.

Want to know my all-time hands-down favorite-risotto-recipe-ever??  This Red Wine Risotto with Peas from Giada DeLaurentiis!  It is amazing!  Seriously.  Probably on my top 10 favorite foods of all time.  Quite possibly.

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If you want to join me in this challenge...  let me know, and if there's enough interest, I'll set up a Linky here so we can easily share each others finds!

"Faithful Place" review, for the BlogHer Book Club

Faithful Place by Tana French is a book full of 'hindsight'. All it took was the first sentence of the prologue to hook me in; "In all your life, only a few moments matter. Mostly you never get a good look at them except in hindsight, long after they've zipped past you...".

Diving back into his past after 20+ years hiding from it, Frank Mackey uncovers more secrets than he ever dreamed possible and handles them with more composure than I could even imagine.

His family is just as colorful as your family and mine, if not more, and his relationship with his siblings made my heart melt... even in the midst of turmoil. [...]

Click here to head over to the BlogHer Book Club and read the rest of my review (the good and the bad!) of Tana French's newest book, Faithful Place!

Disclaimer:  As a member of the BlogHer Book Club, I was given this book to review and compensated for my time... but please be assured that the opinions expressed are mine, and mine alone!

Open Sky

Ok, I know we all get more 'Deal Site' offers than we can even handle.  In fact, my inbox is full of them right now...  But I have never been as excited about one as I am this one, so I just had to share!

From their website:

"Open Sky is “… Twitter, but with shopping.” – USA Today

A social network of shoppers, OpenSky taps you into exclusive food, style, healthy living, and home design sales that are handpicked by a bevy of curators you choose to follow. Each week, your arbiters single out the item they fancy the most and give you first dibs to purchase it up to 60% off.

Like picking your circle of friends, you edit what products you see by choosing the curators you want to hear from. Plus finds don’t just disappear at midnight; purchase items in your curator’s collection for happiness guaranteed without the time crunch."

Basically it is amazing deals on food stuff... and baking stuff...  and cooking stuff...  and other fun stuff...  all picked by some of our favorite celebrity chefs and others!

Ok...  I'll stop now.  Besides I have to go so I can drool over all the stuff I would love to have, while my boys nap...

Click here if you'd like to go check it out!

**Note:  This is not a paid endorsement or anything more than my personal excitement to share my new find with you! **

milk saver...

Have you ever been frustrated by all the 'leakage' that goes on from the unused side while you are nursing?  I know I have.  It always seems like such a waste... not to mention a mess!

Did you know that most moms leak around 2-4 ounces during a nursing session?  That's a lot of valuable milk being wasted!

Well, there is a solution:  The Milkies Milk Saver!

This is one of my new favorite Mama Must Haves!

I had been intrigued by these since I had my first son almost 2 years ago, but never got around to trying one.  I finally bought one recently, and I am so excited about it!

You just slip the Milk Saver into your bra or nursing tank on the side you are not using and it collects the milk that would otherwise soak your shirt or nursing pad.  It's very discreet and almost* too comfortable!!

* I say almost because, a few times now, when I use this in the early morning while I'm still sleepy I have been known to spill all the milk out on the floor or bed as I am leaning over to set the baby back down!  :o)  Not really a problem, just something to remember... and perhaps laugh about when you do the same thing once or twice!

Anyways, I just wanted to share this fabulous little find with you, because I wish I had known how great this is 2 years ago!