Make Mother's Day Last with #Yourkidvid (Win an iPad Mini)

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Yourkidvid.

It's no secret that moms like to be acknowledged for their hard work, especially on Mother's Day. However, as my hubs can attest, appreciation doesn't need to come in the form of big expensive gift to be meaningful (although I am still grateful for those diamond earrings that year). This is where "the thought is what counts" can really be put to work. Unfortunately, creativity, time and presentation are difficult for most people to put into action to create a picture-perfect gift for Mother's Day that brings the tears, hugs and major brownie points.

While framing that adorable shot of the kids at Christmas or Easter and presenting to mom is nice, it just doesn't give the whole story...

Screenshot of "Madeline Loves Mommy" video from Yourkidvideo

But there is something truly magical when you hear the sound of a laugh, giggle or the words "I love you" that only a video can capture!

So with a little help from Yourkidvid, you can give mom an unforgettable, unique personalized gift that she'll cherish for years. The concept is genius: using all those cute videos of the kids on your smartphone and computer, Yourkidvid's award-winning team edits them into an original cinematic experience with hand-picked music, color-corrected images, graphics and that special touch for a video that she'll be proud to share with everyone including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and email, starting at only $29. (And for those of us with family that we don't get to see often, this is the ideal gift for grandma to get on Mother's Day too!)

SPECIAL OFFER: 

Get 20% off any Yourkidvid order with promo code: 1in85million until May 12, 2014.. It can be used towards all products (including gift cards).

Don't think you'll be able to get the videos off mom's phone without her noticing? Then get her a Yourkidvid gift card and she can make her own video to cherish for years to come. 

There are 85 million moms in the U.S., but is there a mom in your life who is truly #1?

Yourkidvid, the professional video editing service for you and the little ones you love, is holding a contest to find America’s #1 mom.

To enter, like Yourkidvid on Facebook AND publish a description of why your mom is #1 on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram using the hashtag, #1in85million.

Your entry can be as simple as sharing a moment, a story, a quick note or even a video about a lifetime of motherly love. Just include the hashtag #1in85million and like us at www.facebook.com/yourkidvid by May 11, 2014. A winner will be selected by the video editing geniuses at Yourkidvid, to receive an iPad mini plus a Gift Card for a free Yourkidvid Premium Video! The winner can give the prizes to their #1 mom or keep them . . . we won’t tell! Go to www.yourkidvid.com/1in85million for details and rules.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Yourkidvid.

Spring Perfect Slow Cooker Dessert Recipes {As seen on TV}

Ahhh, spring. 

That magical two weeks in Texas where it's nice enough to go outdoors where you are either going to get eaten up by a tornado or melt from heat exhaustion. So with such little time to enjoy the season, you have to spend as much enjoying it and not in the kitchen.

So bust out the slowcooker to take away some of the work and the heat - even when it comes to desert! Take a look at the recipes for three recipes you've probably never thought out making in your slowcooker - Strawberry Cheesecakes in a Jar, Oatmeal Cookie Apples, and Banana Rum Cake. These recipes are part of the WFAA Good Morning Texas segment on April 28 - hope you've watched! 

SLOWCOOKER STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKES IN A JAR

Inspired by KingAuthur.com Flourish blog

Ingredients

Crust

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)

Filling

2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature

1 2/3 cups sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 large eggs, at room temperature

½ teaspoon orange zest

3/4 cup cream, half & half, or whole milk

Instructions

For the crust: In a small bowl, mix 1 cup graham cracker crumbs with 1 tablespoon sugar. (If you like you can add a tablespoon melted butter to the mix for a more moist the crust.) Place 2 tablespoons sweetened crumbs in each of seven 1/2-pint Mason jars. Press down lightly.

For the mixture: Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, eggs, orange zest and cream until smooth, but be careful not to overmix. Put batter into a pitcher for easier pouring and fill each jar 3/4 full with batter.

Place jars in a 8 qt slowcooker. Fill the crockpot with water until it reached about ½ way to the jars (also called a warm bath or bain marie. (To make sure you don’t get water in the cheesecakes, place tops back on batter and then remove after pouring.) Cover slow cooker with lid and allow for cooking for 1-2 hours. (It’s all about how your crockpot cooks.)

To check for doneness, use a knife and insert from outer edge and check that the knife comes out moist, but clean.

Turn off the slowcook cooker and allow the jars to cook for 20 minutes before removing. After placing on rack, allow the jars to rest at room temperatures for an hour before sealing. Then chill in the fridge for several hours before serving.

Add your favorite topping like macerated strawberries sprinkled with sugar.

SLOWCOOKER OATMEAL COOKIE APPLES

Ingredients

4 apples

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup margarine

3/4 cup raisins

1 cup instant oats

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Core apples

Instructions

Wash and core apples (I’d make a larger hole than a regular core job to make room for the good stuff.)

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.

Stuff the apples with the oatmeal raisin mixture.

Spray crockpot/slow cooker with a non-stick spray, then place apples inside.

Sprinkle the rest of the apple crisp topping over the apples.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. When ready, the apples should be very soft to the touch/poke.

Serve with ice cream or a little cream like an oatmeal cookie.

BANANA RUM CAKE

Inspired by Better Crocker

Ingredients

Bread

2 2/3 cups Original Bisquick® mix

1 ½ cups mashed very ripe bananas

¾ cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup butter, melted

4 tablespoons Spiced Rum

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¾ cup chopped walnuts

Glaze

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoon spiced rum, warmed in the microwave

Instructions

Grease bottom only of 3 1/2- to 4-quart round slow cooker with shortening or cooking spray. Sprinkle lightly with 2 teaspoons of the Bisquick mix.

In large bowl, stir bananas, granulated sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, 4 tablespoons spiced rum, vanilla and eggs until well blended. Stir in remaining Bisquick mix, cinnamon, and 1/2 cup of the walnuts until well blended. Pour into slow cooker.

Cover; cook on high for 1 ½ hours to 2 hours or until toothpick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Turn off slow cooker; uncover, and remove base from cooker to cooling rack. Let cool 15 minutes.

Loosen edge of bread with knife. Remove bread from slow cooker to cooling rack. Cool 1 hour.

For glaze, in small bowl, mix glaze ingredients until smooth and consistency of thick syrup. Drizzle over top of bread. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup walnuts.

Here's to enjoying the weather!

1 Hour, 1,000 Calories. Title Boxing Club, Allen & McKinney {First Class Free}

Disclaimer: I've received complimentary classes for the purposes of learning how great Title Boxing Club is. 

Working out.

It’s good for you and necessary for relieving stress, flexibility and losing weight. But with taking care of the kids, handling work projects and dealing with home responsibilities, it’s impossible most days to find a way to fit it into the schedule. And for a lot of mamas, there’s even guilt attached to taking the time to for you (and honestly, your health), even if it’s only for an hour.

So when we have the opportunity to bust a move, you have to make it count.

That means :30 minutes on the treadmill ain’t gonna cut it. And let’s face it: it’s B-O-R-I-N-G, which is why you aren’t trying hard to work that workout into your day.

And believe me, I had no idea I’d be there girl with boxing gloves throwing an uppercut into a punching bag. Don’t know what that means. Yea, I didn’t either until Title Boxing Club.

But if that idea of “Rocky” doesn’t sound like you either, give me just give me a second.

I bet burning up to 1000 calories an hour does. And getting all that built up stress out of your system does. Maybe it’s the pink gloves and purple wraps that will grab your attention. Or the fact that you have less than 90 days from now before you quite possible need to donn a bathing suit in front of other people…

Whatever your why, you need to give Title Boxing Club, with locations in McKinney and Allen a shot.

Intimidated by the pure concept of boxing?  I was too, but only a few minutes in class I had comfort in what I was doing and after just one class, I knew that I had gotten a full body work out that made me feel stronger, focused and ready to take on the fun of picking up kids, grocery shopping and the email list sitting on my iPad.

And all it took was one hour.

I didn’t have a clue what to expect when I walked in the door for my first class, but immediately someone showed me exactly how to put on my wraps, put on my gloves and how the class worked. However, if the Type A part of your brain wants to be ready to go on the first time, there’s a great video on how to wrap your hands or feel free to have one of the team members show you how each time you come until you have the hang of it.

Class breakdown:

·   The first 15 of class is the warm up: You’ll get your blood pumping with a complete range of exercises including stretching, jogging, calisthenics, jumping, lunging and squats.

·   The second part of class consists of 30 minutes working with the bag: The bulk of your workout is set up in three minute rounds that include basic boxing combinations followed by a one minute “active rest.” This gives you a break, while keeping your heart rate up.

·    The last 15 minutes is sculpting and resistance: You’ll use workout gear and body resistance to strengthen your core and sculpt your body while cooling down with floor work and toning exercises.

What I really love about Title Boxing Club is that everyone gets a workout. I’ve seen men and women, every color and ethnicity and all ages throwing punches and kicking the bag all in the name of fitness.

Still not convinced it’s for you? Then try it free!

The first class is free, so you can find out how amazing Title Boxing Club is and how quick you’ll be ready for your next class.

And it’s only one hour. And 1,000 calories...

Title Boxing Club, Allen

300 N. Greenville

Allen, TX 75002

(214) 644-2640

http://www.facebook.com/TITLEBoxingClubAllen

Title Boxing Club, McKinney

5080 Virginia Pkwy

McKinney, TX 75070

(214) 856-7007

For other locations, visit http://www.titleboxingclub.com.

 I can’t wait to continue to my journey with you too, so make sure to stay tuned to how I make the “Power Hour” work for me as it will work for you, too!

Flirty Aprons Sale: 50 Percent off + Free Shipping THIS WEEKEND ONLY

Contains Affiliate Links. 

I'm obsessed with aprons. Have you noticed?

Besides the fact I try to wear a different one each time I'm on TV, I live in them at home. 

They're fun, functional and really make my yoga pants look productive. 

Anyhow, Flirty Aprons, one of my favorite resources for aprons, has a big sale this weekend that I'm going to be hitting up like a mad woman and I suggest you do the same. 

This weekend only you can get 50% off all purchase PLUS free shipping on thousands of aprons for you and all your friends and family! 

Mothers Day Madness - MOTHER50 = 50% Off + Free Shipping Friday through Monday only on any purchase.

Sweet! Buy dozen Tiff's Treats for $4, Make a Dream Come True for Local Boy THIS SATURDAY

When two of my favorite organizations, A Wish with Wings and Tiff’s Treats have partnered together to grant the wish of nine-year-old Viggo, a survivor of Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, to go to Disney World, I needed to do whatever I could to help!

Especially since A Wish with Wings made my son’s dream come true for our family to experience Disney World. 

Tiff’s Treats will hold a grand opening fundraiser at its newest location in DFW – its sixth in DFW and its first Las Colinas store — at 114 E. John Carpenter Freeway, Suite 110, Irving, 75062 (intersection of 114 and O’Connor), on Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will raise funds for A Wish with Wings, which grants wishes to special little Texans with uncertain futures due to medical conditions. These funds will grant the wish of nine-year-old Viggo from Fort Worth, who loves Legos, Minecraft and the Beatles, and whose wish is to travel to Disney World this summer with his family, where he can focus on being a kid, instead of on the treatments he has had to endure for Stage 4B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

On Saturday, April 26, celebrate the store’s opening and help raise funds for Viggo’s wish by purchasing up to six one-dozen boxes filled with one of Tiff’s Treats most irresistible flavors: chocolate chip, snickerdoodle or oatmeal raisin, for just $4 a box.  Proceeds up to $5,000 will be donated to A Wish with Wings. Sales at this event are cash only.  Viggo and his family will be there to share in the fun. It’s a flash grand opening event — and it’s all for a great cause!

Tiff’s Treats’ warm cookie concept normally requires a 30-minute notice for pick-up orders or one hour for delivery — however, for the grand opening fundraiser, no advance order is required, and customers can simply walk in to the new store and purchase hot cookies from 9 a.m. to noon.  This deal is valid only at the new Las Colinas Tiff’s Treats location.

As the delicious aroma of fresh-from-the-oven cookies and brownies fills the air at the new store, guests can enjoy festivities and chances to win prizes. Get there early: the first 10 people in line at the grand opening April 26 at 9 a.m. will win a $100 Tiff’s Treats gift card, while the next 10 will receive a $50 gift card, the next 10 will receive a $25 gift card and the next 10 will win a $10 gift card. Guests who purchase a box of cookies at the grand opening can also enter in a drawing to win free Tiff’s Treats cookies for a year! Anyone who brings a new, unwrapped toy to the event to be donated to a Wish with Wings will also receive a $5 Tiff’s Treats gift card.

The mission of a Wish with Wings is to grant magical wishes to little Texans with life-threatening conditions. First chartered in 1982, this Texas-based non-profit has granted more than 1,200 wishes to children all over the Lone Star State with uncertain futures due to medical conditions. For more information on a Wish with Wings, visit the organization’s website at www.awishwithwings.com or call 817-469-9474. If you know of a child who is in need of a wish, please visit www.awishwithwings.com to get more information.

Tiff’s Treats in Las Colinas opens for regular business on Sunday, April 27. The new Las Colinas location can be reached at (972) 889-7700 or online at www.cookiedelivery.com.

Have a sweet week! 

Fitness Feels Good with FitnessMat {Giveaway}

Note: I was provided a Fitness Mat for purposes of this review. 

Yoga is often considered a pathway to help with flexibility, stress reduction and overall health.

However, a few weeks ago, while I was in downward-facing dog, no part of me felt good. My knees hurt, my ankles hurt and my wrists hurt. All I kept thinking is “why am I here?” 

While I am not the most fit person in the world, my pains weren't coming from me not being capable, but actually the stress on my body of the poses I was doing with my crappy, paper-thin yoga mat.

While it was cute, matched my outfit and my price range, it wasn’t doing anything for my joints. I needed a mat with more padding, but still would allow me to do my poses in yoga or when I was doing other fitness moves. 

The FitnessMat is therapeutic flooring innovation for those looking to enhance their fitness experiences will immediately benefit from the advanced technology of FitnessMats. The tried and true proprietary APT™ polyurethane material suspends and supports body weight, reducing impact and stress, while maintaining an inherently antimicrobial finish for easy cleaning and maintenance.

The FitnessMats also feature ADA-compliant 20 degree beveled edges that never curl and always lie flat, eliminating trip hazards. FitnessMats enhance every fitness experience by making it clean, safe, and comfortable in the privacy of your home or the public-facing gym spaces – designed to perform and built to last. Perfect for yoga, Pilates, free weights, stretching and more.

FitnessMats are available online at www.wellnessmats.com as well as select retailers. 

The mats come in three classic colorways, gray, black, and brown and two different sizes tailored to your exercise needs. The 6' x 2.5' FitnessMats are long enough to support the entire body and retail for $239.95. The 4' x 2'2" FitnessMat are ideal for kneeling, stretching, and stepping and retail for $149.95. And they are also ideal for making fitness feel good again...well at least as much as working out can feel good. 

Or you can win your own FitnessMat on mamachallenge (at $150 value)!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Time to Get Moving! 

Trash to Toys: 10 Recycled Educational Toys

Thanks to today's contributor, Kiddie Academy (www.KiddieAcademy.com) for the following ideas for creating recycled educational toys.

Want to feed your child’s imagination, while helping the environment? 

Earth Day is a yearly reminder to consider our role in protecting the environment. Parents can make a positive impact by creating fun, educational toys from everyday items that may initially seem like trash, but can be repurposed into teaching tools.

Computer Keyboard: 
An outdated keyboard is a perfect teaching toy, as it includes the entire alphabet to assist in early literacy exercises. Challenge your child to sing the ABC song while locating each letter on the keyboard.

Shoebox to Mailbox: 
Children love getting mail. Reinforce both reading and writing skills by creating a family mailbox from an old shoebox. Encourage your child to write notes to family members, and leave notes for them as well.

Water Bottle Instrument: 
Fill a clean, dry plastic water or soda bottle with rice, bells, beans or coins and shake them to hear a variety of new sounds. Glue the top on to secure the contents.

Junk Mail: 
Instead of immediately sending your unwanted mail to the landfill, allow your child to play with the envelopes and letters. She can pretend to be a postal carrier while getting additional exposure to printed words.

Magazines: 
Glossy photos in magazines are perfect for creating collage art that provides fine motor skill practice with scissors and glue.

TV Remote: 
Children love pushing buttons. An unused television remote control can be used for number and math play. Simply remove the batteries and ask him to find the numbers as you call them out.

Clothing: 
Dramatic play is an essential teaching tool that allows children to explore social roles, practice problem solving and language skills. Add no longer needed pieces of your own wardrobe to the toy chest to encourage your child’s imagination. She can literally “try on” a different role by wearing your skirt, hat or shoes.

Linens:
Your child can use a worn out sheet or towel as a cape, picnic blanket or as the roof to a play fort.

Toilet Paper Tube: 
Empty TP tubes are a favorite art tool in classrooms. Save a box of them, and give them to your child along with a few craft supplies to see what he can create. Binoculars, stamps and creatures are popular choices.

Boxes: 
While it’s tempting to immediately recycle a box, your child can have hours of fun using an empty box for creative play. What seems like trash to you could become a school bus, secret hideout or magic castle.

For more eco-friendly education tips, parents can visit Kiddie Academy's Family Essentials blog: http://www.kafamilyessentials.com.

Fish Friday: Celebrating Lent with Baked Tilapia with Shrimp from Olive Garden {Recipe}

Those who are observing Lent and abstaining from meat may be struggling to come up with dinner options for their families. This Baked Tilapia with Shrimp recipe from one of our family's favorite restaurants, Olive Garden, is perfect to conclude Lent or for any night your family is craving seafood. Serve it with your favorite vegetables. 

For a lighter version of this recipe, try Olive Garden’s new Baked Tilapia with Shrimp at only 340 calories!

Baked Tilapia with Shrimp Recipe

(Serves four)

Ingredients

4                     Tilapia filets

1.5 – 2 lbs.        Medium, unpeeled, deveined shrimp

1 tbsp              Butter   

1 tsp                Garlic, chopped

1 tbsp              Onion, finely chopped

1 cup               White Wine               

1 cup               Heavy Cream             

1 stick (4oz)      Butter, cubed        

1 tbsp.             Parsley, chopped

Pinch               Salt      

Pinch               Pepper                       

Instructions

Make the butter wine sauce. (Yields 2 cups/4 portions of 4 fl. oz.) 

Melt 1 tbsp. of butter, chopped garlic and finely chopped onion in pot for 3 minutes.  Stir with rubber spatula.  No browning.

Add white wine and heavy cream. Simmer gently until volume reduces by half.  About 1 cup.

Turn off fire.

Add cubed pieces of butter.  Stir until butter, wine and cream are combined.  Sauce should have a slightly thick consistency.

Finish with salt, pepper and chopped parsley.

* Important: A fresh butter sauce must be served after being made. This sauce will not chill and reheat. When adding the butter to the reduction, the temperature of the sauce cannot exceed 150 degrees.

Rinse the tilapia filets and shrimp under cold water and place in a baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 – 20 minutes. (Filets’ internal temp should be 145 degrees.)

For plating, place the shrimp on top of the filet and top with the hot butter wine sauce. Serve with your favorite vegetable on the side.