The Perfect Potato Salad To Take To A Cookout

I don't know about you, but I think the side dishes at a cookout are the best part of the meal. I admit I will often pass up the grilled meats for a plate of just sides. One of my all-time favorites is potato salad. That is one dish that not everyone can make well. The food snob in me judges other people's potato salad mighty hard. HA! Seriously though, I make an excellent one that everyone raves about. Today I am sharing my recipe with you all.

Ingredients: 

Red potatoes (about 6-7 medium size)
2 whole large eggs
Finely chopped red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, and Italian parsley
1/2 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed
Dressing ingredients:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp pickle relish
1 tsp white sugar
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
a few splashes of hot sauce (optional)

How to make it: 

Slice potatoes in even pieces, about 1/4 inch thick. I like to leave most of the skin on mine for added color and texture. Rinse and place them in a large pot of cold water. Salt generously! Place the 2 whole eggs on top of potatoes so they can cook at the same time. Boil until potatoes are fork tender about 10 minutes. Do not overcook! Scoop eggs out and place in ice water (this makes for easier peeling). Drain potatoes and place on a large plate or dish to cool down.

While potatoes cool, combine your dressing ingredients so that the sugar dissolves. Peel and chop the boiled eggs. Once the potatoes are mostly cool, you gently toss together all of your ingredients. Add salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste. Be careful with adding salt since your potatoes should already be salty and the dressing ingredients have salt in them. Chill in refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. Enjoy!

Quick tips:
If you do not care for mayo, you can substitute it with fat-free sour cream or Greek yogurt.
You can customize your vegetables or add-ins by using celery, carrots, bacon, or whatever you fancy.

This potato salad recipe took me a few years of tweaking and perfecting and is what I have been using for years. I'm often asked to bring it to a cookout or party. I love that you can make it ahead of time so there is no stress on the day you need it. I hope you try my recipe. Thanks for stopping by today!

You may also like:
Best Deviled Eggs Recipe
The Perfect Margarita Recipe
Shelly's Easy & Moist Meatloaf

Give The Gift Of Gourmet Food & Wine This Mother's Day

We are already heading into the end of April, which means Mother's Day is rapidly approaching. It seems like year after year we spend a lot of time, and perhaps even stress out a bit over what to get the important moms in our life as a gift. Every year I tell my family that you can't ever go wrong with food. When that food is paired with wine, that makes it even better!

Gourmet Gift Baskets is here to make your gift-giving effortless. The hardest part will be choosing from their huge selection. Regardless of what Mom's taste is, you are sure to find the perfect gift.

I was thrilled to receive the Mother's Day Indulgence Gift Crate. This amazing crate includes an array exquisite treats including a bottle of Chardonnay, red wine, Summer sausage, savory cheeses, tasty crackers, and some sweet treats. The presentation of how it is packaged was quite impressive. I was all smiles and filled with excitement to tear into this tasty gift.

Disclosure: I received a product sample at no charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% mine as always.

This gift came expertly packaged to prevent any damage to the contents. It even came with a Mother's Day card which takes another thing off the list that you don't have to buy.

I am a wine drinker, so this gift was quite fitting. It is nice having both white and red wine to choose from. Having both sweet and savory treats were the perfect addition to make this the perfect gift. The crate that it came in is super cute and works as a serving tray.

Gourmet Gift Baskets does not skimp on quality at all. Every food item is scrumptious! The summer sausage with the spicy cheddar cheese on top of the cracked pepper water crackers was EVERYTHING! The perfect snack to go with a glass of red wine. I enjoyed the chocolate dipped pretzels on the side for a sweet finish. I'm hanging on to the milk chocolate cherries for the weekend. I have had them before and they are crazy good. I will NOT be sharing either! 

If your mom or a special mom in your life enjoys gourmet food and wine, this one is a winner. If she doesn't drink alcohol, no worries, there are dozens of other options to choose from. There's a spa day themed gift basket, snack towers, orchard fresh fruits, tea & coffee, cookies, and more. Show mom how much you appreciate her this Mother's Day with a lovely gift from Gourmet Gift Baskets. She will love it, and you will take the guesswork out of what to give. Just grab your credit card and head over to gourmetgiftbaskets.com. You can count on quick shipping once you place your order.

Be sure to follow Gourmet Gift Baskets on their social channels for product updates and promotions: Facebook Instagram Twitter

 Thank you for stopping by today!

The Best Keto Pizza

We have been steadily working on eating fewer carbs and lower sugar in our house. Of course, there are those days when we crave a good old-fashioned slice of pizza. I decided to try a keto pizza using a basic low-carb mozzarella (fat head dough) recipe. I have heard others say that it is just as good as traditional pizza, and it turns out that they are right! The vegetable pizza I made surpassed my expectations. Even my daughters were super impressed. If you are living the lower carb lifestyle, you must try this pizza recipe.

Ingredients: 

1 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup almond flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
pinch of salt (optional)

For the toppings:
thinly sliced red onion
thinly sliced fresh mushrooms
fresh spinach
shredded mozzarella
pizza sauce (you can use low sugar)

Extra items you need:
Parchment paper
Rolling pin
Pizza pan or flat cookie sheet
wooden spoon

Directions:

Heat oven to 425° and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. In a microwaveable bowl, heat mozzarella and cream cheese until melted, about one minute. With a wooden spoon, quickly mix in the rest of the ingredients. You need to then use your hands to combine the dough a bit more so all ingredients are better incorporated. Next, place dough ball between 2 sheets of parchment paper and roll dough into desired shape. Transfer dough to baking sheet and poke holes all over the surface with a fork. Now place in preheated oven for 12-14 minutes. You will see it start to brown quickly in the last couple of minutes. 

Remove from oven and top with pizza sauce, vegetables, and cheese. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until you reach the desired color and cheese is melted. You can sprinkle some crushed red chili flakes if desired. Slice and enjoy!

You can add any toppings you like, but if you do use any meats, be sure they are precooked since the final baking is just enough to melt the cheese. This pizza, paired with chicken wings cooked in the air fryer will be our new Friday night dinner to replace takeout. I'm surprised by how easy is to make!

Be sure to check out these other low carb and Keto recipes:

• Keto Hot Dogs With Buns
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Mushrooms
• Low Carb Italian Zucchini Boats

Keto Hot Dogs With Buns

If you are fairly active on social media, I am sure you have heard about the Keto diet. It seems to be the biggest trend in health and dieting. Although I am not doing Keto, I have changed a lot of what I have been eating this year. We have been eating very low carb foods, and have done away with sugar (mostly). Of course some days you need something more than just meat and vegetables. I won't lie, I have moments where I just want a few hot, crispy fries, or a slice of bread on the side of my breakfast omelet. I have been searching for different low carb and no carb bread substitutes. I did make a macadamia fat bread last weekend, but the overpowering nuttiness and richness just weren't for me. 

I have been hearing about keto fat head dough, so I took a basic recipe and tried it wrapped around premium hot dogs. The result was nothing short of amazing. I decided to share the simple recipe for those who are doing the lower carb lifestyle. 

Fat Head Dough Ingredients: 

3/4 cup almond flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

2 ounces cream cheese

2 large eggs

Everything bagel seasoning or topping of your choice (dehydrated onion flakes, garlic, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, Parmesan) 

6-8 dinner size or jumbo premium hot dogs (I like to cut them in half)

Directions: 

Heat oven to 400° and place parchment paper on a baking sheet. Mix almond flour with baking powder in small bowl and set aside. Crack eggs into a small bowl and lightly beat with a fork. In a large microwaveable bowl, add cream cheese and mozzarella. Microwave for up to 2 minutes until completely melted. Add in the almond flour and eggs to the melted cheese mixture. Mix quickly with a wooden spoon until completed combined and a dough forms. The dough will be sticky! Place dough onto parchment paper. Cut into equal portions according to how many hot dogs you have. Shape each piece of dough into a rectangle that can be wrapped around the hot dog. Place each wrapped dog on baking sheet and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning. Bake for approximately 14-18 minutes or until nice and golden brown. 

These hot dogs with keto buns really hit the spot and took care of that pesky bread craving.  And trust me, using premium hot dogs makes a big difference. If you have a Kroger store nearby, I suggest the Private Selection Brisket Dogs. My husband and daughters loved them so it looks like these will be added to the weekend menu a few times each month. Next weekend I will make a fat head pizza. We are all looking forward to it!

Be sure to check out these other recipes:

• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Mushrooms
• Low Carb Italian Zucchini Boats
• The Best Keto Pizza

Thank you for stopping by today.

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea Opening In Columbia This Summer

Columbia will soon be home to Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea at 1002 Park St. in the Empire building, near the University of South Carolina campus. The 1,895-square-foot café is set to open this summer and will offer a globally-inspired menu featuring premium coffees, teas, pastries, sandwiches, salads and more.

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea to offer a destination for students and faculty at USC this Summer

Franchise owner, Greg Dodd, is excited to bring Sweetwaters’ unique atmosphere and quality ingredients to downtown Columbia. “Our global and Asian influence sets us apart. We have many beverages that aren’t found at your average coffee shop,” says Dodd. “We’re looking forward to becoming the go-to destination for college students, faculty and the greater downtown community.”

The Sweetwaters brand focuses on strong community engagement, such as hosting events for local clubs and student organizations and partnering with nonprofits, making it a perfect fit for the Vista location.

The Sweetwaters menu includes signature drinks such as the Dragon Eye, French Vietnamese au Lait, Napali Brew, Thai Iced Tea, and Red Moon coffee.

The grand opening will include numerous community events and week-long promotions that will be announced on Sweetwaters website and Facebook page. The Columbia Sweetwaters location is one of more than 100 expected to open across the country. 

N.C. Red Restaurant Opening In Charlotte, NC April 17th

From the award-winning creator of Barrington’s, Good Food on Montford, and Stagioni, New England-New South restaurant N.C. Red is officially ready to debut with an opening on April 17. Owner Bruce Moffett is also proud to reveal the restaurant’s menu. For starters or “Northern Smalls,” the menu includes Point Judith Calamari, Stuffies (NC clams with peppers, bread crumbs, and Chouriço), Baked Seafood Casserole, Seafood Cakes, and Lobsta Roll. An impressive oyster and clam program sourced from both coasts made the menu as well, served up as Grilled, Rockefeller, Casino, or Broiled. As if that doesn’t already make your mouth water, the “Fixin’s” section includes a large selection – from Buttermilk Biscuits, Smoky Mac and Cheese, and Braised Collard Greens, to Corn Pudding and Fried Pickled Green Tomatoes. View the full menu here.

A look at the Oysters Rockefeller, featured on the menu at N.C. Red, opening April 17

“N.C. Red is unlike any of my former restaurants,” explained Moffett, owner of Moffett Restaurant Group. “The artwork in the space along with the atmosphere of Plaza Midwood give it this unique quality that just makes you want to come and stay for a while. I’m thrilled to share this with Charlotte.”

Andrew Dodd will join Moffett at N.C. Red as a partner and Executive Chef, transitioning from his previous executive chef position at Stagioni. A native of Nashville, Dodd has an impressive background of working in the restaurant industry since he was 15 years old. Dodd moved around the U.S. and worked in kitchens in Seattle, Spokane, and Boston before moving to Charlotte in 2007 to attend Johnson & Wales University in Charlotte.

“The more we worked together, the more I loved the vision Bruce had for N.C. Red, and I look forward to introducing an elevated culinary experience to our guests,” says Dodd. “Coming up with a menu that included a mix of classic Southern cuisine with Northeastern style seafood, with a focus on sustainably-farmed bivalves from coast to coast farms, was really exciting. Additional dishes featured on the menu include Nashville Hot or Fried Classic Chicken, Firestyle Steamed Mussels and Clams, Rhode Island Clam Chowder, Poached Crab Salad, and a daily special of pies."

The restaurant will open in the former Penguin Drive-In space in Plaza Midwood, with some original design features remaining from the drive-in. The restaurant selected award-winning, local artist, Randall Kane, known for his mural art and decorative painting, to add local flair to the space. Some of Kane’s work will include an octopus painting on the exterior of the building, and hand-painted oyster wallpaper in the restrooms.

Stemming from Moffett’s upbringing along the New England seashore, the restaurant is a nod to both his past and present. The name N.C Red combines his love for his adopted home of North Carolina with Rhode Island’s state bird, the Rhode Island Red Rooster. Moffett plans to continue expanding in Charlotte with a fifth restaurant, Bao + Broth, opening later this spring. The restaurant will be located within the forthcoming Optimist Hall with executive Chef Larry Schreiber at the helm.

Simple Fried Mushrooms In The Air Fryer

One of my most favorite times of year is when the South Carolina State Fair comes to Columbia. I used to enjoy the rides in my younger days, but now it is all about the food. I don't think anyone goes to the State Fair with the expectation of eating healthy food. If you do, you might be going to the wrong place! One of my state fair must-haves, aside from the sweet treats, is the deep-fried mushrooms. You can smell them cooking from what seems like a mile away. As much as I love them, I do find that I start feeling a little queasy after a while because the oily fried taste starts to get to me. 

I got an air fryer a few months ago and decided to experiment and make my own "fried" mushrooms at home. They were so simple and delicious that I knew I had to share the recipe. You can't go wrong with the perfect crispness without the grease or guilt. 

Ingredients:

fresh mushrooms, cleaned with stems trimmed and cut in quarters
egg, slightly beaten with a little salt and pepper
seasoned bread crumbs
extra virgin olive oil

How to make them:

Preheat air fryer to 400° for up to five minutes. Dip your mushrooms into beaten egg, then coat in bread crumbs. Once your mushrooms are breaded, carefully add them into your fry basket. Spray with olive oil or whatever oil you choose. Cook for 4 minutes and then shake basket to toss mushrooms around. Let them cook for about 4 more minutes or until golden brown. Serve with ranch or condiment of your choice.

Tip: You can add a little grated parmesan to your bread crumbs for a bolder taste. You can also use this recipe for other vegetables like zucchini. I also recommend getting an oil spray bottle like this one for your olive oil. It has been the best thing to use with my air fryer since cooking sprays can cause damage to the unit, and olive oil is healthier.

If you have an air fryer and love mushrooms, you have to try this recipe. If you don't have an air fryer, you are missing out!

Also, check out:
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs 
Perfect Greek Pasta Salad
The Best Keto Pizza

4 Finger Food Ideas for Parties and Fussy Eaters

Hosting a great party can be lots of fun and very rewarding, but it can take a lot of hard work too. One of the keys to a successful party is to have high-quality food available, and that means food which looks good and tastes even better. You can't cook while the party is in full swing, so finger food is the perfect solution as you can prepare it well in advance. When creating finger food, it's important to think of all the guests, including fussy eaters, but here are four finger food ideas which are sure to prove a hit with guests young and old.

1. Cucumber Sandwiches

This may sound too simple, but in fact, they're also simply delicious, which is why cucumber sandwiches are still a staple part of a traditional afternoon tea. Simply cut up cucumbers and place between some high-quality bread. We recommend the use of the best wooden cutting boards for all food preparation purposes, as you can quickly wipe them down and they make chopping, cutting and slicing a quick and easy process. Cucumber sandwiches are great for cleansing the palate after spicy food as well, and they're vegan-friendly which can be an important consideration.

2. Sticky Chicken Wings

Sticky food is always a popular choice for a finger food buffet, as it's always satisfying to lick your own fingers clean afterward. Sticky chicken wings are a perfect choice for this purpose, and they're incredibly easy to prepare. One marinade that even the fussiest eater will appreciate is honey and soy sauce. Simply mix these two ingredients together in a bowl so that it forms a clear yet dark-colored liquid and then coat the wings in it before transferring to the oven or frying pan. Ten minutes is all it takes to create a snack that's delicious and full of flavor.

3. Avocado Toast

Avocado is possibly the most fashionable ingredient of them all at the moment, and it's perfectly suited to a finger food environment. It has the added advantage of being supremely tasty too, which is why avocado toast is always the sign of a high-quality buffet. Presentation is the key here, so cut slices of toast into alluring triangles, before spreading mashed avocado onto the surface. To add an extra texture and flavor, you can then further top the toast with a slice of boiled egg; quail's egg is a great option here if you're really trying to impress your guests, but a standard hen's egg will be fine as long as the portion size fits daintily atop the avocado.

4. Lettuce Wrapped Steak

Steak and salad are a classic mealtime combination, but this can easily be adapted for finger food purposes with individual steak slices wrapped inside a lettuce leaf. Simply fry or grill the steak until cooked (be careful not to overcook it or it can become tough), slice into small pieces and then place one piece inside the cupped leaf of a baby gem lettuce. You can serve a mayo or chili sauce to accompany it. This is finger food that looks superbly inviting, it tastes great and the lettuce and steak slice combined with crunchy lettuce gives a satisfying textural contrast as well. Be sure to prepare plenty of these, because they always prove to be the most popular item in a buffet.

Steak wrapped in lettuce, avocado toast, cucumber sandwiches, and marinated chicken wings all look as good as they taste, and there's nothing in them that will make a fussy eater turn up their nose. Remember to prepare more food than you think you'll need rather than taking the risk of running out and always have vegetarian and vegan options available, as well as suitable desserts. It's a good idea to check for special dietary requirements beforehand, such as gluten intolerance, so that you can plan the buffet accordingly. With all this in place, you'll have happy guests and you'll be a happy host.

Breakfast Idea: Blueberry Lemon Bread

Every day is a struggle when it comes to finding new meal ideas. Breakfast is usually a challenge for the working adults in my household since no one is trying to get up early time is valuable. Having easy, grab-and-go options work well. We all prefer something that is homemade over prepackaged, of course. I purchased some blueberries for snacking the other day, and sadly they were too soft to enjoy. Just like when you have over-ripe bananas, you simply must make banana bread. This time around, I made a scrumptious blueberry lemon bread. You probably have most of the ingredients on hand already, so this one is a winner. 

Ingredients: 

1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tsp all-purpose flour
1/3 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar (you can use less if you prefer less sweetness)
2 large eggs
1 tbsp grated lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional)
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
1 tsp baking powder

Directions:

Heat oven to 350° and grease loaf pan or use parchment paper if you prefer minimal clean up.

Lightly toss blueberries with 2 tsp flour to coat (set aside).

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition. Mix in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and extract. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt.

Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture alternately with the milk. Fold in the blueberries. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes. You can test with a toothpick to know if it is baked through. Cool and slice. This bread is best enjoyed when it is cooled down all the way.

Check out these other recipes: 

4 Ingredient Greek Pasta Salad
Shelly's Easy & Moist Meatloaf

Thanks for stopping by today!

Shelly's Easy And Moist Meatloaf

Do you ever crave a hearty home cooked meatloaf dinner? I never used to be a huge fan of meatloaf, because it always seemed to come out too dry or rubbery in texture. That has changed since I have played around with recipes over the years and finally perfected it. My recipe is easy since you will probably have most of the ingredients on hand.

Shelly’s Easy and Moist Meatloaf

• 2- 2 ½ pounds ground beef (chuck)
• 1 medium onion finely diced
• 4 cloves of garlic minced finely
• Fresh herbs (I use basil, parsley, thyme, and rosemary. You don’t need a lot, like a sprig of each, and use what you prefer) 
• Finely diced jalapeno to taste (like half of a small one with seeds removed)
• 2 slices of white bread (torn into tiny bits)
• ½ cup milk
• Dry seasonings of your choice (Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc) Here are my favorites
• A few dashes of steak sauce (optional)
• A few dashes of hot sauce (optional)
• ½ cup Ketchup

Heat oven to 350 degrees. I like to lightly saute the onion and garlic in a tiny bit of olive oil first, then add jalapeno and herbs. Empty on to small plate and set aside to cool down for 5 minutes. In large bowl, add ground beef, seasonings, sauteed veggies, bread crumbs, and milk. Mix everything together by hand and form into loaf shape, and place into loaf pan. Cover the top with ketchup. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit about 15 minutes before slicing.

Tips: You can line loaf pan with parchment paper for easier removal and cleanup.
Be sure you do not overcook or you will not have a juicy meatloaf.

This delicious meatloaf goes nicely with traditional mashed potatoes, or mashed cinnamon brown sugar sweet potatoes, and fresh green beans or asparagus. Oh, and the leftovers make the most scrumptious sandwich the next day!

Check out these other delicious recipes:

• Small Batch Homemade Mac & Cheese
• Perfect Potato Salad
• Southern Caviar

Enjoy, and thank you for stopping by.

How To Prevent Your Turkey From Looking Pale Without Overcooking It

We've all seen it all over social media. The curse of the pale turkey. It's not pretty at all. I admit that I panic every year when it comes to roasting a turkey. I have finally gotten a good handle on how to bake it to the perfect crisp, golden brown while making sure it's super juicy, and fully cooked.

This post contains affiliate links. We will receive a small commission off of any sales made.

My first bit of advice it to ditch the baking bags or aluminum foil to cover the entire bird. Using either of those steams your turkey, and sometimes makes for a chewy, rubbery texture. The entire process really comes down to using the correct oven temperature, as well as baking your turkey with an oven-safe meat thermometer.

Here is the simple breakdown of what I do 

Start with a fresh or fully thawed turkey. Remove the giblets and neck, and discard. Next,  wash the turkey with citrus juice (usually lemon or lime) inside and out. Rinse it well, and dry with paper towels. I use a heavy turkey roasting pan with a rack so that the turkey sits up higher, and the underside gets brown as well. Heat your oven to 325 degrees.

I blend together a small bowl of dry seasonings such as salt, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, Complete seasoning, black pepper, cayenne, and a variety of dried herbs. I sprinkle the seasoning blend all over the outside of the turkey, as well as the cavity, and under the skin of the breast. I also rub some room temperature butter under the skin of the breast, and all over the bird. Next, you tuck your wings under the back, and insert your meat thermometer in the deepest part of the breast. Place your turkey on the rack breast side up, and pour one can of chicken or vegetable stock in the bottom of roasting pan. I also add some rough chopped onion and celery on bottom of roaster, and inside the cavity for extra flavor.

Now you place turkey in preheated oven and leave it for the first hour. Baste with the drippings from the bottom of pan every 30 minutes until your thermometer reaches the correct temperature for turkey which is 190 degrees. I tend to loosely cover the breast area and wings with foil to prevent over browning. For a turkey between 15-18 pounds, it should take around 3 and 3/4 to 4 hours to fully cook. When you remove your turkey from oven, cover completely with foil and let it rest for a good 15-20 minutes before carving. I use the drippings to make homemade gravy.

If you are planning to roast a turkey this holiday season, follow these directions. You will have a perfectly juicy, golden-brown masterpiece you will feel proud to serve your family and guests. I freeze the drumsticks, and wings for later use to make soup. I hope you and your family have a great holiday season! Thanks for stopping by.

4 Fun Earth-Friendly Projects To Complete With Your Family

It is never too early to start planning in advance for the winter or spring breaks. Schools will be out, and you'll be searching for activities to keep the whole family busy and happy. If your goal is to go green, invest some time into eco-friendly projects that reuse materials you already have. Look for ways to conserve energy around the house too. Check out these green projects you can complete this holiday.

Upcycle Plastic Grocery Bags

Image via Flickr by groundsel

Each time you go grocery shopping, you bring home several plastic bags. Instead of recycling your bags, turn them into something new. Grab a crochet hook to make plastic yarn, known as plarn. Weave or crochet the plarn into hats, handbags or decorative coasters. 

During the holidays, turn plastic bags into festive decorations including wreaths and pom-poms. Flowers made from plastic bags make beautiful accents you can use any time of year.

Start a Green Energy Project

Let the kids pitch in with a summer research project. School-age children can study eco-friendly power sources including solar and geothermal energy. The finished report could be a head start on this year's science fair project. Review the information together as a family to decide if any of these green energy solutions can work in your home. 

One thing you can do now to make your home eco-friendly is to complete an energy audit. Check for drafty windows and doors and use a programmable thermostat to control the home's temperature. Also, ensure that your heating and cooling system is running as efficiently as possible. 

Consistent HVAC maintenance is an essential step in conserving energy at home. Schedule appointments to have a professional technician change your filters and clean your home's air ducts regularly.

Reuse Plastic Bottles

Plastic bottles provide durable craft material that you can use to make cute planters for your home or garden. Simply cut off the tops and paint on a design. Another idea is to take off the bottoms to create hanging lights for the patio or den. 

If you have a few extra wooden spoons and a plastic bottle, help your feathered friends and build a birdfeeder for the backyard. Poke a few small holes in a soda bottle, attach a hose and you have yourself a homemade sprinkler to help the kids cool off during a hot summer day. 

Photo by Parker Burchfield on Unsplash

Give Old T-Shirts a Second Life

Your favorite T-shirt you've worn hundreds of times may have seen better days, but it's still hard to let go and throw it out. Not to worry, that old shirt with a hole in it can still be useful. Cut more holes in it to make a reusable produce bag. 

You can also fashion worn-out cotton shirts into onesies or bibs for infants. If a shirt has stains on the front, salvage the sleeves and turn them into soft baby hats or socks.

Try these green project ideas this summer and see how you can recycle old materials and find ways to save energy. You'll have fun and feel good about going green and protecting the environment all year long.

Entenmann’s Little Bites + Hotel Transylvania 3 Promo & Giveaway

Is your family a fan of the Hotel Transylvania movies? My son wanted to see the newest one, Hotel Transylvania 3, and lucky for him it is now out on digital and coming to DVD and blu-ray on October 9th. Entenmann’s Little Bites and Hotel Transylvania 3 have partnered and launched a frightfully fun offer to celebrate the DVD release of Hotel Transylvania 3. From September 1, 2018, through October 30, 2018, with the purchase of any three five-count Entenmann’s Little Bites or three eight-count Entenmann’s donut products, you will have the opportunity to receive a free HT3 draw-string bag.

I don't know about you, but we are huge fans of Entenmann's Little Bites. There are so many delicious varieties to choose from. We especially love the limited edition vanilla muffins because they remind of us bite-sized pound cake. So delicious! They are super convenient since they are individually packaged. I sneak a pack in my husband's work lunch bag as a mid-day snack to go with his green tea.

Entenmann’s makes a variety of delicious, cake style donuts such as Rich Chocolate Frosted, Crumb and Powdered. For more information about the promotion and to access fun and FREE Hotel Transylvania 3 activities, be sure to visit the Entenmann's website. 

Giveaway: 

One Mom Files reader will win a $25 virtual Visa gift card ,(2) coupons for $5.00 off the purchase of any Entenmann’s Little Bites, and (1) coupon for $7.00 off the purchase of any Entenmann’s Donuts.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and ends on Oct 14, 2018. Must follow rules in Rafflecopter. One winner will be chosen randomly. Mom Files is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Disclosure: The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Entenmann’s Little Bites. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s Little Bites.

Go To Marco's Pizza For Your Game Day Eats

If you live in the south, you know just how important college football is. My family loves to support our teams, and trash talk our opponents' teams. It's all good, clean fun that we really look forward to every year. One key component to any tailgate event, or even if you are catching the game from home, is definitely the food! We feel like you can't ever go wrong with pizza and wings. We went over to our local Marco's Pizza to pick up a takeout order, *compliments of the restaurant, for our at-home tailgate party. It's hard to get all five of us together at once to dine out, so takeout if often a better choice.

Marco's Pizza offers a delicious variety of specialty pizzas, subs, salads, and sides like chicken wings and chicken dippers. One thing I can say for sure is that Marco's offers high quality ingredients, and they do not skimp on toppings or portions. Let's talk about what we ordered. We got the XL Chicken Florentine pizza, family size Greek salad, Buffalo wings, and for dessert, Cinnasquares.

When Marco's Pizza says extra large, they mean it! The pizza is enormous and generously topped with delicious grilled chicken, spinach, onion, Roma tomato slices, and their three-cheese blend along with feta. Did I mention that they do not skimp on the toppings? Their pizza is mouthwatering good with the perfect texture crust. I judge all pizza on crust and cheese, as well as how well it reheats. I enjoy how light and crisp the bottom of the crust gets when reheated in the toaster oven. It's is SO good!

We went with Buffalo wings that came with ranch and blue cheese dip. The wings surprised us because they weren't hard or dried out like some can be. Even my husband who isn't a huge Buffalo wing fan gave it a thumbs up.  

The wings were perfect as a side to the pizza. Marco's offers a barbecue version that we will be sure to try next time. 

The family size Greek salad did not disappoint! It was HUGE. I love that they use Romaine lettuce, and not iceberg like some pizza places do. The combination of the lettuce, tomato, black olives, red onion, banana peppers, and feta were a true winner. 

You can't have a meal without dessert. The Cinnasquares hit the spot, and satisfied our taste for a sweet finish. The cinnamon sugar on top of the perfectly baked buttery pastry was perfection. The vanilla icing was just enough. I'd definitely get this again!

If you live in Columbia, SC, be sure to stop by the Forest Drive location that is right across the street from Trader Joe's. You can easily place your order online and get either delivery or takeout. Take a day off from cooking and head to Marco's Pizza today! Find a location here. 

*Disclosure: We were given a complimentary meal in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own as always. Thanks for stopping by today.