Mad Men Moms 3: Undercover

Actually this week's episode of Mad Men Moms really isn't so undercover as much as we are both in sunglasses on Sunday night at 10 p.m. because of a misfortunate case of pink eye. Since pink eye didn't seem so sexy, we thought the sunglasses seemed a little more Mad Men, don't ya think?

Anyhow, this week's show was all about...

Watch this week's Mad Men Moms for our take on last night's Mad Men! 

But before you press play, make sure you have your cocktail ready. This week we are playing homage to the Cube Libre and it goes a little something like this: 

CUBE LIBRE

Ingredients
2 oz light rum
1 oz fresh lime juice and a lime slice/wheel
3 oz cola
ice

Instructions
Pour over ice, in order given, into a highball glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Now get ready and join us for Mad Men Moms!

Are you just now finding us? 

Then make sure you see our other episodes and follow my cohort & cohost, Shannon at MilkandCuddles.com

Episode 1
Episode 2

or you can always catch us on the Milk and Cuddles YouTube Channel.

Get Your Pass: How to Be a Chick-Fil-A VIP

Food Fridays:

After THIS week, I wanted to share something that just made me smile. Food often does, so that's why I write about it, take photos of it, talk about it and eat it often. 

This little adventure though was a little different than our normal trip to Chick-Fil-A. I wasn't just a customer; I was a VIP. And best of all, you can be too! Here's how: 

A girlfriend of mine handed me these "backstage" passes for an All-Access Tour of the local Chick-Fil-A. She said that her kiddos loved it and it was cool to see what CFA does  behind the "magic curtain." So of course, I had to go. 

On our way out of town, we stopped at the Chick-Fil-A in Grapevine for lunch and our "tour." Since my kids would eat CFA for every meal of the day, I knew they would love it too. We ordered our normal meal and showed them the pass. With a smile they told us to enjoy our meal and when we were done, they would be happy to escort us. 

Of course, that got me thinking about why I cared out the tour. Would I be as excited at just any fast-food joint. Not at all. But it was Chick-Fil-A and "I Love Chick-Fil-A." And after my tour I was going to find out exactly why. 

First it was impertative we start with a little history lesson about how CFA became CFA. Then as we approached the kitchen door, we were asked to put on shoe covers so we wouldn't spread germs and also slip on the floor in the kitchen. Unfortunately I was told is that I couldn't take any shots of my backstage tour, so I don't have any photos to share. But I will tell you that the 15-minute tour was worth it just to see the CFA logo drawn in sugar and to learn that CFA is the biggest customer of Sunkist Lemons. (It would have made the cutest photo!)

Then we took a gander at their side items, ingredients and what products they used to make many of their customer favorites, especially the kids meal items (which we purchase at least once a week) and score a free cookie coupon (the best chocolate chip cookies ever.) Next we were able to see the feature presentation, the cooking of that amazing chicken with the family recipe that has made CFA one of the most successful quick-service restaurants. As a finale, my son was able to create his own family-recipe ice cream cone from the machine (it's not ice milk, people) and go to the play area to enjoy his dessert and a little play time with his sister. (Remember, when you're four, this is all a pretty big deal.)

After our experience I just thought about how cool the experience was. And even more so, how it really made us even more fans of the food. So much so, I decided I needed to highlight just a few of the reasons 

WHY I LOVE CHICK-FIL-A 

1.  That chicken. OMG. My first CFA was not until college and only then did I understand why people stood in line for just a chicken sandwich.

2.  Chick-Fil-A sauce is the stuff that dreams are made out of (I only wish they sold it in a bottle!) 

3.  Drive through service that is friendly, quick and done with a smile - no matter which one I go to!

4.  Huge condiment spread. The Reos are condiment people so the fact that there is a station that's neat and tidy and anticipates all my needs, I love. 

5.  Sticky placemats for the kids to keep them from eating off the table. (Had to be a mom that made that suggestion.) 

6.  Hello, another condiment!?! And ketchup reigns supreme for my husband. Plus, dip-accessible containers. (Why does anyone use those packets anymore?)

7.  My son's favorite place to eat. I can always ensure I have a perfectly behaved son if I so much as dangle the idea of the "Cowplace" as a treat. (I'm not above incentive programs or bribery:) 

8.  Playground Sneaker Keeper to keep all the kids organized and hopefully, from coming home with the wrong ones. 

9.  Everyone loves the cow. I mean come on. That's a gimme. 

10. Anything that makes my husband smile like this makes my "I Love List..." In this case, it was the ice cream. (Perfect to go with that cookie!)

11. Playground equipment that is INSIDE and allows for toddlers to play. Part of the reason CFA won me over is that I could take my 18-month old and she could play without falling down in the dirt or going beyond her means.

12. Those cookies are THAT good. So good that I ordered them for my son's birthday party...too bad the kids didn't eat them because the adults had already snagged them all. 

So you want to be a Chick-Fil-A VIP? Then all you have to do is ASK! Just give a call to your local CFA and see if they are doing the "All-Access Backstage Tour." I know the Grapevine location said they invite everyone to be a VIP! And if you are a real CFA fan, they even do a 90-minute tour of the corporate office in Atlanta! 

They'll leave the fryer on for you. 

Disclaimer: This was a nice family trip to Chick-Fil-A. It has nothing to do with any political, religious or other views, but just that my family likes to eat CFA. A lot. And that the Chick-Fil-A Sauce must have something addictive in it because I can't get enough of that stuff. Ever. And I totally paid for every bit of what we ate and Chick-Fil-A had no idea I was going to blog about it either. So how's that for honesty and transparency? 

Date Night: Party for Two at BJs Restaurant

Want-it Wednesdays:

Something I've wanted for a long time and don't get near enough of are meals with JUST the two of us. Between our busy schedules and two kids under 5, dinner is normally at home, in a rush and only about 15 minutes long or when the 18-month old rises from her seat and begins to touch her dirty hands all over the kitchen. So when we had the chance to score a DATE NIGHT with just the two of us at a local BJs Brewhouse in Arlington, I was thrilled (even if that meant "date night" was an early dinner before the kids got from school!) 

Since we felt like we were sneaking off during a school night, we wanted to go somewhere casual and could suit both of our taste AND our budget, so BJs was a great fit. We hadn't been there in ages, so we figured it was time to try it out. We were greeted by a friendly staff and a warm atmosphere, helping us to relax and enjoy this special moment even if it was only going to be about an hour. After springing for two handcrafted beers (I couldn't resist the sound of the Brewmaster's Reserve Blonde Lager), we took on the huge menu to figure out "What's for dinner?" 

Being that we were on a "date," we figured we'd go all out and try the Party for Two, an appropriate choice for this party of two - complete with two soups or salads, any medium signature pizza and a "pizookie." Sounded like a plan that could make us both happy!

To start, my husband opted for Clam Chowder and I ordered the Tomato Mozarella Salad. Both were delicious and made me crave the next course even more. But we were going to have to agree on a pizza - at least we thought. While our helpful waiter let us know we could choose to order our pizza half and half, we both eyed one of the new flavors, the Spicy Meatball - complete with meatballs, jalapenos and Italian sausage. I knew he was really craving it, so I conceeded (or at least I let him think I took one for the team.) 

Mama Mia! The Spicy Meatball did not disapoint at all and I even ate one more slice them him. We would have eaten it all, but decided to box it up for later if there was anyway we were going to eat this PIZOOKIE thing. I had heard about it, but to be honest, it just seemed like a warm chocolate chip cookie and ice cream (a relatively normal desert), so why did people rave about it? 

I was about to find out why. 

There were actually like seven different Pizookies to choose from, but since this was our first one, we went for the original Bj's Famous Pizookie. A few minutes later when it arrived at the table, we dove in like two kids on the playground. 

...And we finished that baby up in no time flat. It was honestly one of the best desserts I had devoured in a long time. It was just simple goodness without too much of the "other' stuff. I mean when something is perfectly good, you don't need anything else to make it better (although I will be back for the Pizookie Trio so I can decide that statement is true this time for myself!) 

When the check came (after we let a button out on our pants), the look on my husband's face was priceless. "Wow, did they forget something on here?" 

Curious I took a look and everything we had ordered was there - it was just that for for the Party for Two and our two beers we had ordered (as well as the handcrafted rootbeer I had to take home), was just around $30. Now THAT is budget-friendly. And to think, if we hadn't splurged for beers, we would have spent around $20 for a delicious three-course meal, great service and somewhere we look forward to frequenting again - soon. 

Maybe this time we will bring the kids...maybe. 

Remember, the PARTY FOR TWO for only $19.95 is available NATIONWIDE now until April 29, so you need to make plans now to visit your local BJs Restaurant to score this great deal!

Find your closest BJs Restaurant location, menu options and more here: 

BJ’s WEBSITE : http://www.bjsrestaurants.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/bjsrestaurants

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/BJsRestaurants

PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/bjsrestaurants/

GOOGLE+ Love: https://plus.google.com/+bjsrestaurants/posts

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Bj’s Restaurants, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #Bjsrestaurants http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO. 

Why the Y? 5 Reasons to Love the YMCA

Try-it Tuesdays:

This week I'm not bringing you the newest fitness technique or the coolest trend in workouts, but I'm inviting you to take a look at one of my favorite places for the whole family to get fit - my local YMCA. 

More than four years ago, I joined the "Y" so my son (9 months at the time) could take swimming lessons. But once as a member, I was reeled in by so many things that it offered above just a gym with workout equipment and fitness classes. And recently the YMCA even announced even more to its already long list of value-added benefits with the induction of its new President/CEO Roberto Aguirre. So as the YMCA celebrates its annual capital campaign to raise money to provide financial scholarships to members of the community, I thought I'd share my 5 reasons why I love my Y (and you will, too!)

1. Friday spin class: 

Ever looked forward to working out? I know that my Friday 9 AM Spin Class is the highlight of my Friday. Other members of this class know exactly what I mean as this class is like a therapeutic session to get out all the stress of the week and just let it go. For one hour we work to make it to the "top of the hill" with laughing, spinning, rocking out and sweating it out with the leadership of "Coach Melissa." Best of all, when you're done, you've worked off a lot more than just calories and earned a good atttitude in the meantime (and a bit of body odor, but that goes away with time!)...

2.  Free Kids Zone: 

Many gyms offer "daycare" for your kids while parents workout. But the YMCA goes above and beyond. REALLY. The staff is knowledgeable about your kids and ensuring they are happy, healthy and to make you feel good about making time for you to be fit. My first had health issues, so I was very interested in how attentive the caregivers would be. And now after four years, I can say that sometimes they would tell me things I didn't even notice like if they started to feel sick or even those first steps. And there are also activities they do, so they don't just put your kids in front of a TV. Bottomline, they put the care in daycare at the Y North Branch Kids Zone. 

Want to see my other 3 reasons I love my Y? Then check them out here on Mom2MomDFW.com. 

So the question isn't really "Why the Y", but why not?  

(Just ^ press the button above ^ to donate!)

YMCA – North Branch

1005 Skyline Drive

Arlington, TX 76011

(817) 548-9622

Infidelity: The Word of the Day on Mad Men Moms

Mad Men Monday:

We're Back! And in our PJs! 

This week's installment of Mad Men Moms discusses Mad Men, Episode 3. Find out why we're wearing our pajamas, our commentary and of course, the recipe for our featured cocktail. 


It wouldn't be Mad Men without a drink, so we've got a recipe for you, a wine spritzer. Check on over at milkandcuddles.com for Shannon's quick how-to on a fun way to prolong your vino. 
And perfectly paired with this episode, find out if you're a Megan or a Betty with a fun little test: "Which of Don's Women Are You?" Take the Quiz Now and then let us know! 

What did you think of this week's episode of Mad Men? 

Farm to Table: Enjoying Dallas Best at A Community Cooks, April 11

Food Fridays: 

This Friday is devoted to the extremely delicious experience I enjoyed last night at "A Community Cooks," at the WE Over Me Farm at Paul Quinn College. 

Here's a visual of just some of the fantastic farm-to-table food I enjoyed: 

To read more about this one-of-a-kind experience, check out my story on Dallas Food Nerd.

Spring Makeup Must Haves from Nordstrom Trend Show

Want-it Wednesdays:

I received free admission and several samples for my personal review. However, the opinions expressed here are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

I'm a make-up fantatic. Which is quite funny because I don't wear that much, but I sure do love to play with it and basically collect it like figurines on my bathroom shelves (I'm positive I would be considered a Hoarder, but that's not the topic of today's discussion.)

What is though? Some spring make-up must haves. 

Recently, I was privileged to attend Nordstrom Spring Trend Show event at Galleria Dallas. If you've never been or never heard of it, it's like Beauty Church...complete with a preacher, deacon, music and pews (well, figuratively speaking). It's heavenly for people like me and even more so for those women who will spend the whole day at Nordstrom buying and trying all the latest and greatest in makeup and receiving mega bonus buys while being treated to some pretty nice treatments. All for a little $25 golden ticket. And gals, it's worth it. 

Sitting in attendance with some of beauty royalty like Karla Sugar, I was able to see what was new on the market and also score several samples of it, too. So once I got home I dumped out my goodies to try 'em out. 

Here's what I found that I really loved: 

1. La Mer: Does it need explanation? There's a reason women pay around $275 for this magic cream in a bottle! $150-$275
2. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution: Dark circles and big pores be gone! $85
3. Laura Mercier ambre vanille souffle body creme: Smells A-mazing $35
4. Viktor & Rolf SpiceBomb: It's for the men, but smells so good I haven't given it to my husband to wear in fear I might jump his bones in public. $48-$128
5. Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate: Firm my skin and even out the skin tone.$85
6. Brushes from Nordstrom: Just like a pen, it's gotta feel good when you use it. It's good to replace those brushes from time to time and these are so soft and with a little care, can last me a while!
7. Kate Somerville CytoCell Dark Circle Corrective Eye Cream: I'm sure sleep my help me cure some of my huge dark circle issues, but in the meantime until I win the lottery or someone wants to pay me for my sarcasm, I'll be using this stuff.  $75
8. Lancome Visionnaire Corrector: More love for my dark circles as well as my pores and evening my skin tone using a little handle applicator. $89-$109
9. Trish McEvoy Eye Base Essentials: Always in search of making my eyes look brighter, this shadow primer helps keep your eye makeup in place and makes you appear that you've had at least eight hours of shuteye, even if two is sounding good. $25

What's new in your makeup bag?