Mother's Day: EatSmart Precision Retro Mechanical Kitchen Scale Review & Giveaway

My husband has high blood pressure and so does my mother-in-law, so we are trying harder than ever to eat more at home and to eat healthier. Last year we worked with EatSmart Products for our Mother's Day Gift Guide and received a great kitchen scale, which has gotten much use from my husband when cooking salmon and chicken especially. This time we received the EatSmart Precision Retro Mechanical Kitchen Scale and I am so in love with this one that I put it out on our counter for everyone to see.

About the EatSmart Precision Retro Mechanical Kitchen Scale

This retro kitchen scale is a beautiful and bright red color that is sure to liven up any kitchen. The scale comes with a removable stainless steel mixing bowl, so just add items to the bowl and sit on top of the scale for quick and accurate measurements. Plus, the mixing bowl is dishwasher safe!

Our Thoughts

I love retro kitchen items and am always scouring stores for vintage items. I just recently added some owl containers and a mushroom recipe holder to my collection, so when I saw this beautiful scale from EatSmart, I knew I had to have it. I've gotten so many compliments about the EatSmart Precision Retro Mechanical Kitchen Scale. It's such a pretty red color that it really stands out and catches everyone's attention.

I didn't realize before receiving the scale, but the stainless steel bowl is separate from the scale, so this means we can weigh fruits and multiple items in the bowl or even liquid items. It also means I can place other containers, plates and bowls on the scale, too. I'm not just stuck with the bowl option. I can pretty much use this for all of my measuring needs in the kitchen. Plus, the bowl easily fits into our fruit bowl, so I could slide it and use it there if needed. 

Since we've been cooking more and I've been trying more recipes, I've had to also measure out items more often. We make meals for a family of four, so measuring by pounds is often a must when cooking meats, veggies and sometimes fruits. I absolutely love the EatSmart Precision Retro Mechanical Kitchen Scale and couldn't be happier!

Now that you've read all about the EatSmart Precision Retro Mechanical Kitchen Scale, would you like a chance to win one?

One Lucky Reader Will Win a Red EatSmart Precision Retro Mechanical Kitchen Scale ($50 RV)!

Celebrate National Nutrition Month This March With Delicious Mushrooms

Healthy eating is very important for our family and I try to make sure each meal is nice and balanced. Did you know March is National Nutrition Month? The theme for this month is "Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day" and that is exactly what we plan to do. As a southern family, I always include vegetables with our meals and I'm very lucky because my boys both love them as much as I do. One vegetable that is often overlooked is the mushroom. It just so happens that I love mushrooms and often add them to meals in creative ways that the kids enjoy. Josiah just received a kit to grow his very own oyster mushrooms and is so excited to not only grow them, but to use them in our dinners when they are ready. How fun and educational is that? 

What are our favorite ways to eat mushrooms? I love sauteing them and eating them as a side dish, but the kids love them in veggie soup and on top of pizza! I also always add them to spaghetti since my mom did the same when I was growing up. I'm getting hungry just thinking about this! Even if you don't particularly enjoy mushrooms, there are ways to add them in foods that don't make them overpowering or even noticeable, but you can still gain all of the great vitamins and such, from including them.

Speaking of mushrooms, the Mushroom Council is made up of fresh-market mushroom producers or importers and is dedicated to promoting the consumption and usage of mushrooms in a variety of delicious meals! The Mushroom Channel refers to the council's website and social media channels. Check them all out to find some awesome mushroom recipes for healthy delicious meals and to keep up with current mushroom news. I found a great recipe for Mushroom Steak Fajitas. You can also find a swapability resource for more ideas. You can follow via Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest! 

Why eat mushrooms? 

Did you know they are fat-free, low-calorie, nutrient-dense, have natural antioxidants, as well as essential vitamins and minerals? Mushrooms can give your immune system an extra boost, something we can all use this time of year when the flu is running rampant. They really are quite a treasure and can add so much to meals for our families. Quite simply, mushrooms are superfood! They can enhance flavor of meals, make for bigger portion sizes, as well as provide an extra serving of veggies! Plus, they can be used in dishes for all meals, breakfast lunch and dinner. I love mushrooms in omelets for breakfast.  Oh, and did I mention the price? Mushrooms are very affordable, which is quite important for a family on a budget like mine! I often find them on sale at the grocery store and love when I find the manger's specials for them. 

Do you love mushrooms as much as I do? You should give them a try in different recipes to see what your family enjoys the most! If you have picky eaters, there are some recipes where the mushrooms are not even noticeable. In the meantime, want to party? There is an awesome Twitter Party next Wednesday, March 20th at 8-9pm EST with the Mushroom Council and we would love to see you there! The hashtag for the party will be #MushroomDish

Leave a comment below telling me your favorite dishes with mushrooms! I would love some new ideas to try out with my family. 

Disclosure: This post was written for the Mushroom Council in conjunction with Global
Influence. All opinions written are my own.

Boys & Girls Clubs Of America Partner With Amway To Encourage Healthy Eating & Nutrition

As a parent, it is so important to teach children to help others and, for that reason, we do our part in the community here in the mountains. One of the organizations that does amazing things for our town is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. I see what a difference they have made in the lives of children as well as in our community. There are many fun activities scheduled for children each month as well as fun ways to give back, such as picking up trash at our local park. BGCA has many different initiatives and projects going on at one time, all of which are noteworthy and important. Right now Boys & Girls Clubs of America is partnering with Amway to promote nutrition for Club members by supporting community gardens and more.

Through the POSITIVE SPROUTS® Program Amway is giving away $30,000 in Sustainability Grants to ten Boys & Girls Clubs who previously received community gardens from Amway. The funds given are to maintain the community gardens and to improve nutrition for Club members.

Amway is also donating 150 Garden In A Box Kits to Boys & Girls Clubs who demonstrate a want and need to establish a community gardening program! The kits include a variety of fruit, seeds and supplies needed to get the garden started and to start growing nutritious foods. In addition, Amway is providing POSITIVE SPROUTS® Curriculum  for 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, which makes sure they have access to educational materials promoting healthy eating habits!

These are such great ways to help promote nutrition. What better way to learn than by planting your own community garden and eating the foods you have worked hard to grow. My kids and I plant a garden every spring and it's so rewarding when we finally get to eat the fruits and veggies. With Boys & Girls Clubs and Amway, many communities and children will not only learn about nutrition in a positive way, but also gain great experience! Click Here to learn more about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Amway partnership.

Have your children participated in activities with Boys & Girls Clubs of America? Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter!
 

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Amway. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

A Halloween Party To Remember With Flatout Thin Crust Flatbread #flatoutpizza

We were so excited to work with The Motherhood and Flatout this October to help introduce the three new Flatout Thin Crust Flatbread! We received all three not only to try out, but to use as part of delicious snacks for a Halloween party.

We received the Heritage Wheat Flatout Flatbread, Spicy Italian Flatout Flatbread and the Rustic White Flatout Flatbread!

Why try Flatout?
The great thing about Flatout Flatbread is that making a pizza dinner is easier than ever! You can make a delicious pizza in about 6 minutes. I love thin crust pizza already, so knowing it is easy to prep just adds to the appeal! Plus, you can grill or bake it. We decided to put Flatout to the test and make our own pizza just the way the kids like it AND invite the extended family to come over for all the Halloween and pizza fun!

Flatout Thin Crust Flatbread is a great source of fiber, is only 120 calories per piece and contains 7 grams of protein. Plus, you can purchase the bags, which are shelf-stable for 14 days, at Walmart for only $2.98! So, you can make an easy dinner for a great price. Josiah and Liam love to keep things simple, so all I needed to buy was some pizza sauce and cheese! Easy-peasy! Each of the flatbread packages contained 6 long pieces of flatbread, so we had plenty for a great dinner.

How easy was it?
First I pre-heated the oven to 350 degrees. Then, I put the flatbread on a cookie sheet and toasted for 2 minutes. I took it out, slapped on some pizza sauce and cheese. Then I placed it back in the oven for about 4 more minutes and, voila', it was finished and smelling great!

One of the delicious pizzas we made!

The favorite among all the adults was the Spicy Italian Flatout Thin Crust Flatbread because it is already perfectly seasoned and goes along perfectly with the pizza ingredients. It has a little spice, but isn't too spicy (in my opinion). The kids seemed to prefer the Rustic White flatbread and my husband always eats wheat bread, so he was excited to eat the Heritage Wheat pizza we made.

This was the easiest meal I have made in quite a while and it really was a hit! For the party we got several decorations and I decided to put them up on our mantle to display. Several of the pumpkins light up and others make noises, which you can't tell from the picture, but they looked awesome!

 I really can't ask for anything more when making dinner and especially when throwing a party. No more elaborate dishes for me. Keeping it simple with Flatout Flatbread is the way to go! It's delicious, easy and everyone is sure to love it. I know all of our guests asked for more information and couldn't wait to give it a try, too! After I told them it only took 6 minutes to make they wanted to give it a try even more.

An awesome witch plate with a piece of pizza!

You should put Flatout to the test, too. Then come back and let me know what you think. I bet you will have nothing but amazing things to say about it. Be sure to check back this week for our Flatout Thin Crust Flatbread Giveaway! You do NOT want to miss it, believe me!

Disclosure: This post was written for Flatout in conjunction with The Motherhood. I was compensated to conduct this review and party, though all opinions are 100% mine and only mine. 

Together Counts Encourages Us To Stay Active This Fall Season #TogetherCounts

 I have always been very active and enjoy being on-the-go all the time. Now that I have a family, we are even more busy pretty much all the time! The fall is one of my favorite seasons because there is so much to do. We live up in the mountains, so the fall is when our little town gets busy and and we have a blast.

I want my children to be happy, healthy and active, which is exactly what Together Counts, a nationwide program, inspires others to do, too! The Together Counts principle is Energy Balance. This means you balance the amount of calories eaten in foods with the calories you burn from exercising and staying active. No sitting indoors watching tv when we can be outdoors enjoying nature.

Together Counts is the first kind of coalition bringing together almost 200 retailers, food/beverage manufacturers, restaurants, sporting goods and many other businesses. You can check out their website for some amazing resources, both local and nationwide. There is even a service locator feature that helps you find nearby businesses and activities encouraging physical activity, health and nutrition, food and recipes and much more!

Here are a few fun fall activities for your family:

1. Go for a hike. We live up in the mountains and have many state parks and trails nearby. Search online for local trails. You can be outdoors, enjoy the weather and get some exercise.

Beautiful fall weather in the mountains while hiking!

2. Go fishing! We are far from master fishermen, but we still enjoy it. The kids get their little reels and love trying to fling them in the water. Honestly, we have never caught anything, but that's ok! They have more fun splashing in the creek.

3. Ride bicycles as a family. You can ride around your neighborhood or go to a local/state park. Many have fun bicycle trails and, in the fall, the scenery is so pretty!

Having a great time picking apples!

4. Go to a fall festival. Many states and cities celebrate annually with a fall festival. Take a stroll around, look at all the arts and crafts and enjoy what the festival has to offer. Stay away from junk food and look for the local produce. We have an Apple Festival every year and our local apples are absolutely delicious!

5. Go apple or pumpkin picking. This year we went to an apple house to pick apples. I had no idea just how much exercise we would get while walking around the fields. There were thousands of trees with different types of apples. We walked for miles and we were having so much fun, it really didn't even seem like work. Then we rewarded ourselves by making caramel apples. Yum!

There are so many things I love about fall, including all of the healthy recipes that go perfectly with fall weather. Vegetable soup is one of my favorite things to make and is perfect on a cold, windy day. I also enjoy making vegetarian chili for the family in the fall. My husband likes his a little spicy to warm him up.

How do you stay active during the fall season? 

Click Here to see how you can help win your child's school a $30,000 grant with the Find Your Balance Challenge. There are several other prizes, too!

Be sure to join the Together Counts Twitter party next Wednesday, October 17th from 8-9PM EST with the hashtag #TogetherCounts. We hope to see you there. 

Also keep up with all the latest news from Together Counts by following via Facebook, their blog and Pinterest!

Disclosure: This post was written for Together Counts in conjunction with Resourceful Mommy Media. All opinions written are my own.

The Importance Of Building A Food Storage For Your Family

My son's school had a great last-day send-off party a few weeks ago and I had a chance to talk to one of the parents. She mentioned something I had never thought about before, long-term food storage. Let me back up a minute, before we moved to the mountains, we never even thought about food storage, but now we have to take into consideration a variety of situations and prepare for them, especially because we have children. I knew little to nothing about food storage, but started doing a little research and I wanted to share with you some great reasons why we should build food storage and how it is beneficial to our families.

1. Health Benefits
Many types of healthy foods can be stored for a long period of time, including grains and legumes! When you find the best freeze dried food, you can find a variety of delicious, healthy meals for the family. Plus, if anyone in the family has food allergies or other medical concerns, it's always good to have food available that they can eat just in case!

2. Emergency Occurance
Things happen and it's definitely best to be prepared. For example, here in the mountains, we have to be careful during the winter season. During a snowstorm or blizzard, we could easily get trapped at our cabin for days or weeks! Keeping food for long term storage is a MUST to have at our home because we would otherwise not have enough food to last longer than a week. In other areas, you may be more prone to flooding, hurricanes or tornadoes. Either way, it's best to have food stored and ready just in case.

Those are definitely the two most important reasons I think food storage is so important for families to consider.You can also throw in the fact that you can save money, which is also very important for families on a budget! I never want to be in a position where I cannot provide for my children and building a food storage will ensure this does not happen.

Do you have a food storage? If not, you should really consider doing so for the reasons above.

Old London OPA! To A Better You Sweepstakes, Healthy Living Tips & More #win #MomCentral

As a Mama, I am always looking for healthy snack alternatives for the kiddos. They are young enough that I can start them on healthy foods so that they don't always go for junk instead. Now that Josiah is in preschool and beginning Kindergarten next year (omg!!), he always comes home hungry and needs a snack to tide him over before dinner. So does Ry, for that matter! I was given the opportunity to sample several Old London products, including their delicious Melba Toast (one of my favorites) and Bagel Chips.

What makes Old London products stand apart from others? They contain whole grains, are low in calories and contain zero cholesterol. Plus, they are absolutely scrumptious! The Garlic & Herb Bagel Chips were a huge hit with the boys, but I loved the Rosemary & Olive Oil Melba Toast. I started serving these this past week as an after-school snack and it went over perfectly, so I have a feeling these will be added to our shopping list weekly.

Speaking of Old London products, they are hosting an amazing sweepstakes right now that you need to enter! Old London wants to us to celebrate life as the Greeks do! How? Well, by maintaining a healthy diet of grains, veggies, fish, olive oil and, of course, dancing. Now that sounds like the life! The term OPA! is used to express happiness and cheer, so I am excited to announce the Old London OPA! To A Better You Sweepstakes! Enter NOW by Clicking HERE.

One winner will receive an amazing 8-Day, 7-Night Grand Prize Package, which includes:

•  Airfare (coach) from your nearest airport!
• Seven nights in first class accomodations in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini! 
• $2,000 Gift Card For Spending Money!!!

Can you imagine going on this trip? I have never been to Greece, but have always wanted to visit. In addition to hosting this awesome giveaway, Old London is further celebrating a healthy lifestyle by pairing with celebrity dancer Chelsie Hightower and a team of nutritionists to help all of us incorporate the Greek lifestyle into our own lives with healthy, delicious recipes and tips. You can find many great recipes on the Old London website OR on their Facebook page.

One of the recipes I found on the website is for a Lasagna using the Melba Toast I loved so much. We haven't made it yet, but I plan to do so because it looks delicious! Here's that recipe, which gives you an idea of how yummy the other recipes are, too.

 Old London Melba Toast Lasagna

 Ingredients

• 1 box Melba Toast Rosemary & Olive Oil
• 1 jar favorite prepared pasta sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 pound mozzarella, grated and separated
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan

 Directions

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Cook onions in olive oil in a 2-quart saucepan over moderate heat, stirring until onions are softened.
• Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Add pasta sauce and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Fold in chopped fresh basil.
• Spread 1/2 cup sauce in 8×8 baking dish and top sauce with a layer of Melba Toast Rosemary & Olive Oil.
• Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
• Top with a layer of Melba Toast Rosemary & Olive Oil.
• Continuing layering with sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Melba Toasts. Finish by topping with sauce.
• Bake lasagna covered with foil, in middle of oven 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and sprinkle evenly with 1/2 cup mozzarella.
• Bake until bubbling and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes more.

Here are some of Chelsie Hightower's Healthy Living Tips that I totally agree with:

• Take your workouts outside. While a walk around your neighborhood might seem less exciting than a hike around Greek ruins, try to find something in your local outdoors that motivates and excites you. Explore a local park or a new neighborhood route to change up your fitness routine.
• Make healthy meal choices. I try to stick to a Mediterranean influenced diet that is rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruit, fish and dairy. I enjoy finding recipes online and then trying them at home. Old London has some great recipes on their Facebook page.
• Give yourself a break. We all need to recharge our batteries every once in a while. If you can’t take a vacation, plan a day or a weekend at home when you can have a little “me time” to just relax and do whatever makes you happy.
• Reach for healthy snacks. I keep smart snack options on hand to keep my energy up between meals like a handful of almonds, some Greek yogurt and honey or a few Old London Melba Snacks with hummus.
• Go dancing. In Greece, dancing is a large part of any celebration or gathering. I love going dancing with friends; not only do we have a great time but I also get a workout!
• Healthy Living = Happiness. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to plan a get together. Invite friends and family over just because! Ask guests to bring a dish, or set out appetizers like olives, cheese and Old London Melba Toast for everyone to enjoy. I’ve found being happy is a big step to staying healthy.
• Love yourself. People come in all shapes and sizes, and what works on others won’t necessary work for you. Being healthy is about how you feel. Stop comparing yourself to others and begin loving the person you are from head to toe.

How do you stay healthy? Sometimes I need a little quite time to myself for peace of mind. I think that works wonders for health and happiness. All of the tips above are great and I agree you can be happier if you follow those goals. Now, give yourself a break and go munch on some Old London Melba Toast! Yummy!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old London. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate

Southern-Style Creamed Corn with Delicious Sunshine Sweet Corn #MomCentral

One of our staple foods here is Georgia is corn. Nothing is better in the summer than fresh sweet corn on the cob. Some of us, including myself, eat it raw. I love the crunchy sweet taste! We are working with Mom Central and Sunshine Sweet Corn to tell you just how delicious it really is and how many great recipes you can make with it, not just in the summer, but in spring, too!

One of my favorite southern recipes is creamed corn. There is, of course, also corn souffle, corn chowder and even corn salad. All of those are at the top of my list. Not only is sweet corn delicious, but also great for you. It provides fiber and whole grains and is a great way to lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and more. I didn't even know this until I did some research, but corn also contains antioxidants that help vision and protect eyes.

We looked at all of the great recipes on the Sunshine Sweet Corn site, but decided to cook my favorite corn recipe, creamed corn. This recipe has been passed down from generation to generation. My grandmother taught my mom and then my mom taught me how to make many, many southern dishes.The recipe does not have exact measurements, mind you... In the south, we like to taste our food as we cook it and add in more ingredients if needed.
Before making the creamed corn, you need to know how to cut the corn off the cob! These informational video shows you a great way to do so:

 Here's the recipe:

Southern-Style Creamed Corn

Ingredients:

6 ears of supersweet corn, husked
sugar
salt
milk
butter
water
all-purpose flour
reserved bacon grease

Directions:
After the corn is husked and wiped clean, cut the corn off of the cob with a paring knife into a mixing bowl. Then, use the back of the knife to scrap all of the delicious corn juice out of what is left on the cob.

Mix together: 1 Tablespoon of flour, 1 Tablespoon sugar,  1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Once mixed together with the corn and mix well.

Heat the skillet to medium-high heat and stay close-by. Use about 1-2 Tablespoons of  reserved bacon grease to grease the skillet well before adding the corn. Once it is melted, add the creamed corn mixture.

Turn down the heat to medium-low and continue watching/stirring the mixture. It will become creamier as time goes on. If you have added too much water, the flour will absorb the liquid, so add more. If you find it is too salty for your taste, add a bit more sugar and vice versa.

There is no exact science to making creamed corn. The best way to make it is to use the items you have on hand and taste as you go. You don't need fancy ingredients or anything impressive to make an absolutely delicious dish from corn! That's my southern style creamed corn in the picture above, served with some fresh black pepper. I think that's the best way to eat it. I made it look all pretty with photo editing, but honestly it looks a little plain... until you take a bite. My mouth waters just thinking about it!

What is your favorite way to eat corn? There are so many different ways to eat corn that it really is hard to decide. My husband loves corn chowder! Have a great spring and summer... and don't forget to eat lots and lots of fresh Sunshine Sweet Corn!!!


I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Sunshine Sweet Corn. I was reimbursed to purchase Sweet Corn and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Together Counts Encourages Families To Become More Healthy & Active + 5 Fun Outdoor Activities

This year we've been very lucky with the weather here in Georgia. Spring arrived very early this year and at the beginning of March we've had highs in the 80s already! I'm so happy because we are an outdoor kind of family. We love being outside and, since we live in the mountains, there is always something fun to do. It's so important to stay active as a family, especially for children. Why? Being active benefits children in may ways, including promoting healthy growth and development, building strong bones and muscles, and improving self-esteem! I notice my children are much happier after spending time outside and I think we parents also benefit from getting some fresh air and letting the children burn off some of that extra energy!

There are many ways we stay active with this kids and I highly recommend as a family. Here are 5 ways to stay active outdoors with children this Spring and Summer!

1. Plan a visit to a national or state park! We live close to the Amicalola Falls State Park because there are several hiking trails, beautiful scenery and you can even hike to see the amazing falls. They even have a hike-inn where you hike up part of the mountain and spend the night.

2. Plant a garden! We plant a garden every year. The boys love digging in the dirt and it's great exercise! This year I bought them their own above-ground garden, which is an 8x8 area. They can dig in it, plan flowers and vegetables, etc. Not only is it fun for them, but they learn something from the experience and get to enjoy the results! We have already planted our flowers and have one tomato plant that has several tomatoes already forming.

3. Go fishing! Older kids may actually love to go fishing. We go out to our creek and walk along the rocks. Josiah enjoys casting his reel, but more than anything he just likes playing in the water. Encourage children to look for the fish and find other creatures in the water. We always find clam shells, crayfish and other goodies to tote home with us.

4. Backyard Water Games - We have 2 water tables and the kids go wild with them. You can also get cheap little pools or even just water guns and let them chase each other around. Kids love water!