Add Flavor to Your Next Tailgate or Game Day with Florida Orange Juice!

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for the Florida Department of Citrus. I received promotional item to thank me for participating.

While fall has meant big changes around here in terms of back-to-school, the season has also brought on another much-anticipated aspect: football.

Here in the Midwest, football is more than a sport, it is a way of life. For us in Wisconsin, football not only means cheering on the Green Bay Packers, but the University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgers (my alumni! Woot!) in any and every game, scrimmage or mention. It just wouldn't be fall if there weren't football-filled days complete with tailgating, food, drinks and rooting on our home teams!

But while I have served a variety of dishes when we have guests over to watch the game, I'm always on the lookout for different recipes, finger foods, seasonings and marinades to create mouth-watering food that is delicious, flavorful and healthy. It's not wrong that I want the game day meal to steal just a little bit of the attention from the television, is it?

Most recently, I've been reminded that on or off the grill, one ingredient that is sure to add a burst of flavor to all sorts of dishes and recipes is none other than Florida Orange Juice!

The Florida Department of Citrus is celebrating tailgating with grilling recipes incorporating America's favorite juice! Because not only does 100% Florida Orange Juice take your tailgating or game day meal from mediocre to unique, but it provides vitamin C plus other essential nutrients like potassium, folate and thiamin. An 8-ounce glass of orange juice also counts as one cup of fruit!

Why would I not want to include an ingredient that is free of fat, sodium, cholesterol and added sugar when it is going to give my dishes a delicious twist and provide great health benefits? Not to mention that my friends and family already love it!

In fact, the Florida Department of Citrus is so sure that orange juice is the perfect go-to ingredient this season that they held a Winning with Florida OJ tailgating event in New York City last month with special guest and sports broadcaster Erin Andrews sharing her top tailgating tips!

But don't fret that you missed this great event, as they have also shared this fantastic recipe that is sure to turn all of your next events into a celebration as well!

Florida Orange Marinade

¼ cup 100% Florida Orange Juice
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp jerk seasoning
1 tsp ginger, minced

Combine all ingredients in bowl, mix thoroughly. Pour marinade over chicken skewers, cover and refrigerate at least three hours or preferably overnight.

Sounds pretty tasty, right? FloridaJuice.com is actually full of all sorts of creative orange juice-based recipes that can help you enhance your favorite tailgating recipes. Appetizers, breads, snacks, entrees, desserts, salads, side dishes and many more — there's something for everyone!

My mouth was watering by the time I was halfway through browsing all of the delicious recipes but I couldn't pass up trying out one that I knew would be just right for all of the fall season and beyond.

Because no matter if I serve these to guests, bring them to a BBQ or simply whip up a batch for an everyday treat, there's no beating Mini Orange, Banana and Chocolate Chip Muffins!

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas
¼ cup Florida orange juice
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 eggs, separated
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup mini chocolate chips
Mini cupcake liners

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375° F. In a food processor, purée bananas, orange juice, butter and egg yolks; reserve. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda; reserve. In a small clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites with mixer to form soft peaks; reserve.

Add banana mixture to flour mixture; stir just until combined. Gently fold in egg whites and chocolate chips with rubber spatula; do not overmix.

Line mini muffin tins with cupcake liners. Fill muffin tins one-half full with batter. Bake 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove muffins to wire rack to cool.

I'm telling you, these bite-size muffins are just right for pretty much anytime and the added subtle taste of the orange juice flavor in with the banana and chocolate is just right!

Could there be a more versatile staple ingredient? 100% Florida Orange Juice is nutritious, tastes great and is the perfect complement to whole fruit. Add in that it can be used in a multitude of simple-to-prepare recipes and there's no doubt that it is a fantastic choice for families everywhere this tailgating season and beyond. What will you cook up next?

Find out more about all of the awesomeness of Florida orange juice by visiting FloridaCitrus.org and connecting with them on Facebook and Twitter.

Lalaloopsies All Grown Up: Lalaloopsy Girls Dolls, Show and Music Video! {Review & Giveaway}

There are some lines of toys or television shows that my children enjoyed when they were younger and then promptly outgrew. That's for babies, Mom.

On the other hand, I love it when a company takes a well-known, much-loved brand and adapts it so that it is still just as fun, interesting and appropriate for kids as they get older. What better way to continue the imagination and creativity yet in a way that children will still deem it cool?

Case in point, Lalaloopsy, the #1 collector brand for girls, which have now debuted all grown up as the fashion dolls Lalaloopsy Girls!

More than just modern rag dolls, the background behind the original Lalaloopsy gang is simple: they magically come to life when their final stitches are sewn. Each of the ever-expanding line of characters has its own unique personality and characteristics that comes from the fabrics that were used to make them, showing girls everywhere that it's okay to be yourself.

But now, for the first time ever, Lalaloopsies are have become fashion dolls called Lalaloopsy Girls with the motto Stitched Together... Friends Forever! Just check out their music video to get a taste of the glitter, friendship and fun that Lalaloopsy Girls are bringing:


Pretty awesome, right?

But that's not all. To continue the Lalaloopsy-palooza as these dolls take front and center, they are also hitting the small screen with a one hour animated special premiering on Nickelodeon this Sunday, September 7th!

Be sure to tune in at 12pm for Lalaloopsy Girls: Welcome to L.A.L.A Prep School for another semester at the Lalaloopsy Academy for Learning Arts. Some new students have just enrolled and now Jewel Sparkles, Mittens Fluff ‘N’ Stuff, Pix E. Flutters, Bea Spells-A-Lot, Crumbs Sugar Cookie, Spot Splatter Splash, Tippy Tumblelina, Peanut Big Top and Cloud E. Sky must learn to navigate this very fun and quirky school.

You're not going to want to miss seeing the Lalaloopsy Girls attending unique classes, joining silly clubs and making new friends along the way. Here's a peek at the fun that is going to be airing on Nickelodeon on Sunday!


I have always loved that all Lalaloopsy dolls promote the idea that it's okay to be yourself and be different by being sewn from various fabrics, as this is always a quality all little girls need to hear... so I was just as excited as my girls to see one of the new Lalaloopsy Girls dolls in person to welcome her unique style and personality!

Bea Spells-a-Lot was sewn from a school girl's uniform and loves math, reading, studying and her pet owl — hooray for a doll that promotes the greatness of school!

Coming adorned with a bow and glasses, Bea also has a pair of pajamas, a comb, two hair clips, her pet owl and a hair clip for her new human pal. All that's left is playtime!

My girls have had a great time incorporating Bea Spells-a-Lot into all sorts of games, make believe and pretend play and I love hearing them talk about all of her knowledge and her love of learning as they play.

As a bonus, the pink streaks in Bea's long hair have the ability to change color (to a light purple) when dipped in ice water, so that unique twist adds to the excitement and fun of having this studious pal.

Retailing for $19.99, Lalaloopsy Girls are recommended for ages 5+ and can be purchased in stores near you or online from Amazon. You'll find much more information about the full line of these creative new dolls by visiting LalaloopsyGirls.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

And, thanks to their generosity, one person will get to bring the grown-up rag doll fun to their house  as well, because...

One lucky person will win a Lalaloopsy Girls doll!

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A big thank you to Lalaloopsy Girls for providing a doll for me as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

Balance is in the Bag with Balance Bar {Back to School Survival Kit Giveaway!}

It always seems like no matter how much I prepare or think that I'm ready, the back-to-school season still manages to make my life feel like I've been turned upside down. Goodbye water balloons and popsicles, hello notebooks, backpacks and pencils!

Fortunately, even though this season can feel crazy, there are a multitude of ways that we can be prepared to best handle hectic mornings and busy after-school activities. For me, one name that I know that I can always turn to for help keeping "Balance in the Bag" is none other than Balance Bar.

Balance Bar was one of the originators of energy bars and the nutrition bar category and I have long been a fan of the way that their products are crafted with the perfect balance of great taste, quality nutrition and lasting energy.

Add to that the many different flavors, styles and formats of energy bars that Balance Bar offers and there is no reason that nutrition can't be easy and delicious for everyone. These convenient bars can be eaten at home, work or on-the-go, so no matter if your day has you attending meetings, running errands, picking up the kids, squeezing in a workout or more, you can stay balanced and ready to keep up with it all.

So, with back-to-school underway, Balance Bar has enlisted blogger extraordinaire Jenny Ingram of Jenny On the Spot to come up with a Back to School Survival kit and great tips for surviving the season:

Keep smart snacks within reach. Back to school isn't only exhausting for kids. Moms and dads get worn down too so smart snacking is important. Pack a supply of nutritious snacks to have in your purse for when you’re running errands or going from school to practice.

ItzyRitzy’s reusable snack bags are perfect for keeping your on-the-go snacks organized and always handy. Fill them with grapes, almonds, carrot sticks and Balance bare bars for a healthy snack sure to satisfy both busy moms and kids until dinner!

The (digital) calendar is key. To make sure no one misses an activity, homework deadline or playdate, color code each kid in your calendar so you know exactly who is doing what and where and when. I love the Cozi app – it's free and great for organizing your upcoming activities and goes everywhere you do since it's on your phone.

Pack bags within your bag. If you're like me, you have a huge bag. It's great for storing lots of things, but it can be a wasteland and hard to find anything if you’re not organized. I keep a mini bag that holds my chapstick, hand sanitizer and other items I regularly reach for in a brightly colored small bag that stands out. An Itzy Ritzy snack bag can even double as an organizational bag that’s stylish too!

Miniature First Aid Kits. It's helpful to have some first-aid basics in your bag for everyday incidents that are bound to happen. My homemade first aid kit includes Band-aids, Neosporin, Kleenex and wipes. Trust me on the wipes – they’re much more effective than napkins at cleaning up whatever messes my kids have.

Be prepared for homework. With after-school activities, keep homework supplies in your car and bag so your children can do their work while you’re waiting for soccer practice. Keep rulers, pencils, pencil sharpeners, scissors, calculators and a clip board in the car to make sure you’re prepped for any homework assignments.

Label everything. With 3 kids, and all the supplies and gear that come with them, I've learned to love labels. Before schools starts, I put Mabels Labels on their lunchboxes, backpacks, jackets, shoes, sporting equipment and anything else I can get my hands on. You'll never have to hear "she's wearing my sneakers" again and it also helps avoid lost items in the school coat closet.

Pack healthy school lunches efficiently. Trying to accommodate everyone's lunch needs is hard. Make their sandwiches and then let them choose three snacks for themselves. In your pantry, have mom-approved snacks (like Mixed Berry Balance bar bars) in three drawers and every kid is allowed to choose one item from each drawer to add to their lunch.

Transitioning summer bedtimes. Yes, I'm probably guilty of letting the kids stay up a little too late during the summer. But that's what summers are for! However, those late nights are not going to work once school starts, so I like to gradually transition their sleep schedules. Four to five days before school starts, I'll move their bedtimes up 10-30 minutes. It's a slow process but really helps to ensure they're rested and ready for the first day.

I love Jenny's tips and, combined with these awesome Balance Bars, I feel more organized every time we're running from activity to activity or just need sustained energy to outlast our never ending to-do list. Bring it on, school craziness!

Ready to celebrate back-to-school with Balance Bar? Then be sure to join their Pinterest contest at BalancePinToWin.com on now until September 12th! 

One pin or repin of how you keep a balanced bag with all of your back-to-school must-haves just might win you a Lululemon tote filled to the brim with goodies or a Balance Bar Prize Pack!

Be sure to visit Balance.com (and connect with Balance Bar on Facebook) to find out more about the huge variety of flavors of these power-packed bars and see how they can help keep you balanced and organized this fall. As well as at your local grocery store and health food store, you can also find Balance Bars at ShopBalance.com and on Amazon.

Plus, thanks to their generosity, one person will soon be on their way to creating their own organized, healthy journey this fall, because...

One lucky person will win a Back to School Survival Kit from Balance Bar!

*Kit includes 15 Balance bare bars, an Itzy Ritzy reusable bag, a Casabella Microfiber i-pouch and a Balance Bar pen and notepad (total ARV ~$45).

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A big thank you to Balance Bar for providing a Back to School Survival Kit for me to review as well as for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

We Fell in Love with the Royal New Additions to the Palace Pets Collection at Build-A-Bear Workshop!

Although sometimes I feel as though the stuffed animals in our household are multiplying on their own, there is no denying that there are a select few that hold a special place in my girls' hearts.

Whether a cherished gift or simply ingrained with a memory, these are the plush pals that receive the most playtime, hugs and devoted love. And, as I'm sure is a common occurrence in many households, among the very favorites here are easily the ones that my children have selected and created themselves thanks to the fun, creativity and never-ending imagination at Build-A-Bear Workshop.

The place where kids (and adults) can not only choose their own best friend but actually create it, Build-A-Bear Workshop is one store that knows how to treat customers of all ages.

Bears, bunnies, dogs, ponies and more are all selected, stuffed, given a wish and a heart, sewn and fluffed, and then dressed up in furbulous furry fashions. Talk about dreams coming true!

We have always absolutely adored Build-A-Bear Workshop and, as soon as my kids realize that we're anywhere in the vicinity of the bright colors and cute decorations, their excitement is difficult to contain.

On our recent visit, however, there was even more elation in the air over getting to see the new Disney friends that have made their magical debut at Build-A-Bear Workshop: a Minnie Mouse themed bear, Captain America and two new Palace Pets!

Can these get much cuter?

Everyone loves Minnie Mouse and Build-A-Bear Workshop's Minnie Mouse Bear comes complete with cute graphics on her paws, a pink polka dot bow and Minnie's picture and signature adorning her feet. With the addition of a Minnie Mouse Leggings Outfit and White Sequin Flats, this is pink polka-dot perfection for any young fan!

Captain America Bear, on the other hand, is here to help fight for liberty and justice! Featuring an all-blue body with a shield pattern and the Captain America logo on his paw, he takes pride in wearing his patriotic costume and wielding his indestructible shield.

What better way to join forces with this avenger of freedom than in such a cuddly, adorable way?

Although we were happy to fawn over Minnie Mouse Bear and Captain Avenger Bear, I was not at all surprised to find that my girls' eyes lit up when they saw the two new Palace Pets, Rapunzel's royal kitty cat, Summer, and Belle's beloved little dog, Teacup!

I love the way that Build-A-Bear Workshop has incorporated Palace Pets into their collection and how easily these fluffy pals are converted from everyday to royalty. It's just so much fun to add an accessory set or two to turn Summer from a cute yellow kitty into a pampered, regal cat and Teacup from a fuzzy, cuddly puppy into a groomed, princess dog!

Big Sister E and Little Sister B were amazed by all of the new additions that Build-A-Bear Workshop has added (every time we have visited or even have passed by they seem to have brought in new, adorable plush friends!) and ultimately the added sparkle and elegance of the Palace Pets were their favorites.

After having a blast choosing, stuffing, fluffing, dressing and naming their new friends...

...it was clear that each of their smiles stretched from ear to ear and Build-A-Bear Workshop had provided another unforgettable experience for all of us.

Build-A-Bear Workshop really makes it possible for everyone to leave happy, no matter how much time, what size budget or what interest you have — whether for a special occasion or just to bring a big smile to a child's face, kids are nearly guaranteed to have a magical experience that they will remember always!

There just isn't any comparison to making your own best friend and the unique and entertaining time that kids of all ages have at Build-A-Bear Workshop is sure to be one that is talked about for quite some time to come... I know it has been here!

What stuffed friend do you want to bring home next? Be sure to visit BuildABear.com to see their full line of available pets as well as to find a store location near you or to place an order right online. You'll also want to connect with Build-A-Bear Workshop on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram so that you'll stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest that this amazing company has to offer!

I was provided gift cards from Build-A-Bear Workshop in order to facilitate my review, however, I was not compensated or enticed to do this post in any way. This post is solely my honest opinion about this company, store and products.