Game Stop Giveaway!

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family? That everyone will feel grateful for all the blessings they have.

2. What is your Christmas morning tradition? Johnny Mathis CD in the CD player when the kids come down the stairs. We open one present at a time.

3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be? A mac book

4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money? Lots of baking for the neighbors and friends.

5. What games did you play with your family growing up? Uno, Rook and Racko

6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood? THe Johnny Mathis and Carpenters Christmas Music

7. Where would you go for a Christmas-away-from-home trip? I would go to my parents house in Utah.

8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year? Wii, Wii fit, DS games

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts.....Take One!

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

We had so much fun making this video for Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts. Hope you like it!



What is your favorite flavor of Pop-Tarts? Answer this question and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

For extra entries, you can:

· Tweet about this post with a link to it (and put your tweet URL in a separate comment below)

· Blog about this post with a link to it (and put your blog post URL in a separate comment below)

Go to the BlogHer.com round-up page for more videos and 9 more chances to win.

For official rules, please click here.

Ghirardelli Review, Recipes and $100 Visa Gift Card Giveaway!

This is a sponsored review by BlogHer and Ghirardelli.

It was an average, everyday Wednesday. Not too hot. Not too cold. Work went fine. Nothing too exciting, when a knock came at my door.

I opened the door and saw a huge box that was covered in some cool, outer space looking silver wrap. I picked up the heavy box when it struck me what this box might contain. I remembered that I had been selected to do a review for Ghirardelli and that I would be receiving some samples! Oh boy!

So I ripped open the box and was thrilled with what I found inside:

*10 bags of All Natural Chocolate Chips (two each): white, milk, semi-sweet, mini semi-sweet and 60% cocoa
*12 All Natural Baking Bars (2 each): white, milk, semi-sweet, 60% cocoa, 70% cocoa and unsweetened
*2 canisters of Cocoa Powder: Natural Unsweetened and Sweet Ground Chocolate
*1 large bag of Peppermint Bark Squares
*1 large bag of Chocolate Caramel Squares
*1 WONDERFUL Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook

Talk about a baker's ultimate dream come true! Now there is just one problem.....what do I make first??

I decided to try a recipe from the Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook. WOW! What a beautiful book. It gave the history of the company, the different types of chocolate, how to melt them and a whole bunch of interesting facts about chocolate.

I decided that I wanted to try the Buttery Breakfast Scones with Chocolate Chunks. How could you go wrong with that? What a wonderful way to start out the day. These were like warm, buttery and cakey chocolate chip cookies that would be wonderful with coffee or hot chocolate.

Look at those wonderful chocolate chunks!

And I wouldn't be "me" if I didn't drizzle a little bit of extra melted chocolate on top. I'm not too proud to admit that I have a drizzling problem. :)

Next, I decided to make my own recipe of Chocolate Covered Caramel and Coconut Pretzel Rods. I used the 60% cocoa to cover the pretzels and it gave it such a distinct and exotic taste. This ain't your everyday chocolate! I thought these would make great gifts to give away during the holidays.

Here is how I made them:

Chocolate Covered Caramel and Coconut Pretzel Rods

Things to get:
Pretzel rods
Sweetened coconut
Ghirardelli Chocolate Chips (whatever kind you like. I used 60% cocoa.)
Ghirardelli White Chocolate Chips (optional)
Caramel ingredients (You can make your own using the recipe below or melt pre-wrapped caramels for convenience.)

1. Make a batch of caramel or melt your pre-wrapped caramels over low heat.

Homemade Caramel
1c. Karo syrup
1c. Brown sugar
1c. White sugar
1 stick of butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk


Put first 5 ingredients in a large sauce pan over medium heat and stir until melted and combined. Bring to a boil and stir for five minutes. Be careful to keep stirring so that it doesn't start to burn on the bottom of the pan. Take caramel off the burner after 5 minutes.

2. Put the hot caramel in a deep container. I used my Pyrex 4 cup measuring cup.

3. Prepare a couple cookie sheets lined with buttered wax paper.

4. Dip pretzel rod in caramel, about 3/4 of the way and let it drip off any excess caramel. Then lay the rod on the cookie sheet.

5. Repeat with remaining pretzels.

6. Put cookie sheets in the fridge to help set up caramel.

7. Once caramel is set, lift up each pretzel rod off the wax paper and mold caramel around the rod since it will puddle on the sides as it cools.

8. Roll caramel covered pretzel roll in shredded coconut and gently press coconut into the caramel.
9. Prepare the cookie sheets again with new pieces of wax paper. No butter required for this step.

10. Melt chocolate in the microwave or double boiler and place melted chocolate in a deep container like a tall cup. Dip caramel and coconut covered pretzel rods in melted chocolate. At this point, you can also roll the rods in chopped and toasted almonds or pecans.

11. Place chocolate covered pretzel rods on cookie sheets and place in fridge to set up for at least 15 minutes.

12. In a zip lock baggie, melt the Ghirardelli white chocolate chips in the microwave 20 seconds at a time. When completely melted, cut a tiny hole in the corner and drizzle the chocolate on the rods.

13. Place back into the fridge to set up.


Aren't they pretty?
I had so much fun baking and trying to come up with all the different ways I could use my Ghirardelli chocolate jackpot. I just love to work with quality chocolate that melts perfectly and Ghirardelli did not disappoint. I would without hesitation, recommend that you use Ghirardelli chocolate for all your holiday baking. Be sure to check out their website for information about Ghirardelli chocolate and browse the amazing recipes!

What would you make if a big box of Ghirardelli chocolate landed on your doorstep? Let me know in a comment and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

For more recipes and more chances to win go to the Ghirardelli and BlogHer round-up page.

For official rules click here.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and The Laughing Cow.

Can you believe that it is that time of year again?

The holidays are right around the corner and that means lots of delicious food and less time to exercise! And that can lead to weight gain. There has got to be a way to enjoy the holidays and also stick to your exercise program. RIGHT? Right!

Here are some suggestions:

*Set realistic goals: It might be unrealistic for you to do 1 hour of cardio 5 days a week during the holidays. You might be like me and have an "all or nothing" type attitude. I say to myself, "If I can't get my hour of cardio in, then I'm just not going to do any." That's why it may be better to set a goal of 20 minutes of high intensity cardio 5 days and week instead of an whole hour. It's much easier to find 20 minutes than a hour. If you are feeling extra energetic you can always add more minutes to your workout!

*Remember the benefits of exercise: You know how you feel after a good workout? Empowered, strong, beautiful, confident. How do you feel when you don't exercise? Frumpy, guilty, weak, tired. During the holidays you want to feel great and look great when you are with family and friends. Exercise and proper hydration gives you a healthy glow and an inner confidence that is so attractive. Give yourself more energy during the holidays by exercising!

*Join forces with a friend: A few weeks ago, a couple friends from church and I, decided to be accountability partners. Every Friday we text our weight to each other and comment on how we did that week with our eating and such. That has been a great help for me. It is always a nice for me to have a partner in this, my greatest battle! Get a friend, spouse or family member with whom you can go for walks, go to the gym or just report to everyday. Inspire each other to stay fit during the holidays!

*Who needs a treadmill? Play outside: There are some really fun things that you can do out in the cold that burn a ton of calories!!! Join in the Turkey Bowl football game, ice skate, run up and down the hill while sledding with the kids, have a snowball fight, shovel snow, go cross country skiing or snowshoeing. Look for fun traditions that will keep your family fit!

*LAUGH: What did you expect from a post sponsored by Laughing Cow Cheese! :) But seriously....Studies have been done on this topic and it has been shown that the body burns up to 20% more calories when having a good belly laugh! Watch a fun comedy together, play cards or a board game together. Shed the stress and a few more calories along the way.

Hopefully some of these ideas will help you (and me) stick to an exercise program during the holidays. But most importantly....remember to have fun, relax and enjoy the people you love!

How do you stick to your exercise program during the holidays? Leave a comment and you will be entered to win a $150 Visa gift card from Laughing Cow! Please keep your comments G-rated as any profanity or offensive content will automatically disqualify you from sweepstakes entry. Contest runs from 11/15-12/5/10.

Visit The Daily Tip hub to read health tips each day and for weekly chances to win $100 at the “Play For Laughs” game. We may even use some of your Tips!

For official rules click here.

My Review of Pacific Chromium 24" Girl's Bike

Originally submitted at CSN Stores (Clink Link for Picture)

Features:

• Chromium girl's bike
• Pacific collection
• Material: Steel, aluminum, rubber
• Steel suspension frame
• Suspension fork smoothes bumps
• Torque drive twist shifters to change gears
• 18 speeds with torque drive rear dera...

Pacific Chromium 24" Girl's Bike

Durable and Good Looking!

By Melo from PA on 11/14/2010

5out of 5

Pros: Great Value, Durable, Fun

Best Uses: Exercise, Family Time, Outdoor

Describe Yourself: Parent Of Two Or More Children, Working Parent

Was this a gift?: Yes

Very heavy duty bike that will be durable. Love the color. This will be a great bike that I'm sure will serve my daughter for many years.

(legalese)

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts Caramel Apples

This is a compensated review by BlogHer and Pop-Tarts®.

Have you tried the new, Limited Edition Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts yet? If not you definitely need to do so....NOW! I have been a loyal fan of the Brown Sugar Pop Tarts for years, but the Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts are my new favorite. The pumpkin pie spice is not overpowering and it is just enough filling to make you feel like you are eating a thin slice of pumpkin pie. What a treat!

I decided that I would roll a caramel apple in the Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts crumbs to combine the the flavors of my two favorite pies. Apple and pumpkin. You can eat this right off the stick or cut the apple off the stick and cut into slices. I guess it's a more dignified way to eat this delicious treat. However you decide to eat this...I'm sure you will agree that it is the best of both pies!

Here is how you make it.

Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts Caramel Apples

Things you need:

6-8 apples (any kind, but I used tart Granny Smith's)
wooden dowels or craft sticks for each apple
2 packages pre-wrapped caramels or caramel ingredients (see recipe below)
wax paper
cookie sheet
butter
12 Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts, coarsely chopped
fall ribbon to decorate apples

1. Place wax paper on cookie sheets. Next, butter the waxed paper to make sure that the caramel apple won't stick.

2. Make some caramel or you can use the pre-wrapped found in the candy section of your grocery store. Here is my caramel recipe:

1c. Karo syrup
1c. Brown sugar
1c. White sugar
1 stick of butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Put first 5 ingredients in a large sauce pan over medium heat and stir until melted and combined. Bring to a boil and stir for five minutes. Be careful to keep stirring so that it doesn't start to burn on the bottom of the pan. Take caramel off the burner after 5 minutes.

3. After you have made your caramel or melted your unwrapped caramels according to package directions, put wooden craft sticks or dowels into your apples.

4. Dip apples in caramel one at a time. Cover the whole apple letting the excess caramel drip back into the pan.

5. Place caramel covered apples on buttered wax paper on cookie sheet and place in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to cool.

6. Take apples out of refrigerator and roll in chopped Pumpkin Pie Pop-Tarts. Press crumbs into caramel and replace on new piece of wax paper.

7. Replace in refrigerator to set up.

8. When ready to serve, decorate with fall ribbon around the stick. Enjoy!

What is your favorite flavor of Pop-Tarts? Answer this question and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card from BlogHer!

For extra entries, you can:

· Tweet about this post with a link to it (and put your tweet URL in a separate comment below)

· Blog about this post with a link to it (and put your blog post URL in a separate comment below)

Go to the BlogHer.com round-up page for more recipes and 9 more chances to win.

For official rules, please click here.

CSN Stores Review Coming Up

If you are a reader of blogs, I'm sure you have heard of CSN Stores. There are reviews and giveaways for CSN all over the internet! If you haven't yet, you've got to visit their website. They have over 200 stores that you can browse if you're in the market for a new dining room table, cookware, luggage, shoes or just about anything you might need!

I'm excited to be able to review my experience with CSN stores in the near future. I've spent more hours than I care to admit, trying to find exactly what I want to review. So many great possibilities!

I hope you will stay tuned, to see what I picked! Until then, go to CSN stores and see all that they have to offer!