5 Life Hacks to Keep Losing Weight (Even During the Holidays)

November 15, 2016 - Mama 2 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and the makers of alli® weight loss aid. All opinions are mine alone. #alliInMyLife #Final #CollectiveBias

Having trouble losing weight (or keeping the weight off) during the holidays? I can relate! Here are some life hacks that will help you keep the weight off during the holiday season. #AlliInMyLife [ad]

The past couple of months, I’ve been sharing my weight loss journey with you here. I have to admit, as excited as I’ve been about the results I’ve been seeing, I had my fears with the holidays approaching that I’d struggle to maintain my weight loss. But I remembered some foolproof ways that I’ve tried in the past– and succeeded– to keep the weight off, or even lose more weight, during the holiday season. With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s coming up, there are plenty of ways you’ll be tested, but there’s also plenty of ways that you can fight back towards continuing your journey!

Corn Casserole for a Crowd

November 14, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

Corn casserole, corn pudding, whatever you call it, it's a staple in our house for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Trust me, you'll love this corn casserole recipe because it's so easy to make-- pour, stir, bake. It's all in one pan!

Seasons come and go, but one thing that stays the same in my family is corn casserole. It’s a treat during the holidays, but it’s also a perfect duplicate for a delicious end-of-meal bite served at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Jose Peppers, so we make it year-round. Sometimes called corn pudding, this corn casserole is beyond easy to make– seriously, you dump, stir, and bake… the end. That’s why it’s a staple in our house, because there’s no hassle!

5 Ways to Play in Fall and Winter

November 11, 2016November 18, 2016 - Mama 2 Comments

Meteorologists are predicting the winter of 2016 to be a warm one! Take advantage of it with plenty of ways to play this fall and winter. #CLIFkids [ad]

Just a few days ago, meteorologists in Kansas City started releasing their weather reports for winter 2016. Most of them agreed– winter would be mild, and at times unseasonably warm, with little snow. While that may be a bummer for snow-lovers, it’s a great thing for everyone who loves to play outside! This fall and winter is going to be a great one for PLAY, and today, I’m sharing my 5 favorite ways to play in fall and winter (with a few tips on where to play in Kansas City, too)!

How to Throw a Smarty Pants Party!

November 9, 2016November 11, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Healthy4School #CollectiveBias

Do you have a Smarty Pants in your family? Celebrate school success and the back to school season with this Smarty Pants Party! It's complete with plenty of brain food, and goodie bags that are fun AND practical for staying stocked up on essentials for the school year. #Healthy4School [ad]

Do you have a smarty pants in your house? Maybe more than one? I love to celebrate school success during the back to school season with a fun party! It’s a great way to say “You’re doing a great job, and keep up the good work!” When you celebrate back to school and the success of your learner, you’re showing them that you’re proud of them! So, gather some goods and invite your learner’s closest friends over for a celebration.

Harvest Succotash

November 7, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

This harvest succotash is easy to make and contains all of your fall favorites-- okra, corn, zucchini, squash, and chicken-- in one delicious skillet! Trust me, you'll love using your fall produce to make this easy recipe!

Growing up, fall trips to Silver Dollar City were kind of a big deal. I mean, the Ozarks are just stunning in the autumn as it is– beautiful orange and red leaves, rolling hills, and just the smells of fall. One of those scents that I’ve tucked away in my memory is the wafting fragrance of the giant cast iron skillets of succotash… delicious squash, corn, chicken, and okra, all sauteed in the skillet with plenty of butter and served in bowls. It’s just one of those fall must-haves, and I was dying to replicate it at home when this year didn’t have a trip to Silver Dollar City in the cards.

Surprisingly Easy Salted Caramel Cocoa

November 4, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

Love salted caramel mochas and salted caramel cocoa? It's incredibly easy to make at home! Check out this easy DIY Salted Caramel Cocoa recipe so you can have a coffeeshop favorite at home with sea salt, homemade caramel, and delicious chocolate. #CupForCrushingIt #ad

Fall temperatures are finally starting to get colder. I mean, seriously, we’ve spent most of the autumn in the 70s and 80s, so it hasn’t ever really felt like fall. The one saving grace is that the leaves are starting to turn red and orange, and I’ve been able to enjoy some fall drinks like Pumpkin Spice Cocoa and this Salted Caramel Cocoa… eventually, you may even decide to skip your favorite coffeehouse stop altogether, because trust me, this is SO, so easy to make.

Cracker Barrel Fried Apples (In the Slow Cooker!)

November 2, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

In the fall, nothing beats fried apples like the ones you get from Cracker Barrel. Luckily, they're incredibly easy to make in your slow cooker! These slow cooker fried apples are perfect for serving at a fall party or enjoying with a warm winter's meal. Perfect side dish for comfort food! | crock pot | baked apples | cinnamon apple | slow cooker side |

There’s just something special about going to Cracker Barrel for lunch. No, it’s not the checkers outside or the store in the front of the restaurant. It has to be the epic side dishes you can get with your meal. It never fails… my order is the same every time I go there. Chicken and dumplings with fried apples, mac and cheese, and the hashbrown casserole. For the longest time, Cracker Barrel was my choice because I couldn’t get those darn apples anywhere else. Want to know a secret, though? I learned how to make a spot-on copycat so I don’t have to drive quite as far for that heavenly cinnamon apple goodness… without further ado, here’s how to make Cracker Barrel Style Fried Apples (in your slow cooker!)

Bullet Journal Layouts for Your Weight Loss Journey

November 1, 2016November 1, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and the makers of alli® weight loss aid. All opinions are mine alone. #alliInMyLife #After #CollectiveBias

A few months ago, I hadn’t even heard of the term “Bullet journal.” To be fair, I also hadn’t tried alli® weight loss aid and I also didn’t own a blender cup or resistance bands… but a lot can change in just a few months, and for me, I can’t imagine my weight loss journey without those things, especially my alli® weight loss aid and my bullet journal.

Pizza Style Zucchini Roll Ups

October 31, 2016December 26, 2016 - Mama 1 Comment

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PickedAtPeak #CollectiveBias

Skip the pizza... these delicious zucchini roll ups are topped with all of your favorite pizza toppings, then bake and serve over your favorite pasta, or skip the pasta and go low-carb! If you like zucchini, you'll love this family-friendly meal with Prego Farmer's Market sauce and fresh produce from Walmart. #PickedAtPeak [ad]

I don’t know who started the whole swap-zucchini-for-pasta trend, but I kind of want to hug them. See, in the fall, I love to add squash to my favorite recipes, and making this yummy zucchini roll up is a perfect way to swap out lasagna noodles for squash in one of my favorite family recipes. There’s just something about a hearty meal that the whole family will love (probably because it tastes just like pizza) that’s still a little bit friendlier at working in fresh produce. Making the most of seasonal produce is a pretty important thing– why not use produce that’s at its peak? That’s why when I saw Prego Farmers’ Market® on the shelves at my local Walmart store, I knew exactly what recipe I wanted to make using the fresh produce and that sauce.

It’s the Great Pumpkin (Roundup), Charlie Brown!

October 28, 2016October 28, 2016 - Mama Leave a comment

It’s crazy how much fun you can have with pumpkins in the fall… searching for just the right one at the pumpkin patch, carving it, eating fresh-baked pumpkin goods like pumpkin bread and pumpkin cake… I just love pumpkins, and enjoying them all October long is such a great thing. Just a few days ago, I shared a recipe for Pumpkin Pie Mini Egg Rolls. I love that pumpkin is so versatile, and that’s why I’ve worked with it a lot on my blog. But today, I want to share some of my favorite pumpkin ideas from around the web… so keep scrolling and check it out!

RECIPES

Wondermom Wannabe	Cinnamon Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Stacey Homemaker	Ginger Pumpkin Carrot Soup
For What It’s Worth	Pumpkin Flavored Stuffed Jalapeño
Caroline’s Cooking	Healthy Pumpkin Scones
Life With Lorelai	Pumpkin Pie Cocktail
Sweet Sensations	Cranberry Apple Pumpkin Bundt
Intelligent Domestications	Classic Pumpkin Pie
www.OatandSesame.com	Pumpkin Black Bean Chili
Julie is Coco and Cocoa	Pumpkin Spice Scones
An Alli Event	Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Home Maid Simple	Chocolate Pumpkin Fudge Bundt Cake
Noreen’s Kitchen	Pumpkin Crunch Pie
Creative Southern Home	Pumpkin Chip Cookies
Totally Tailgates	Pumpkin Spice Muffins
For The Mommas	Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Dip
My Big Fat Happy Life	Frozen Pumpkin Pie Hot Chocolate
Little Blog in the Country	3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
Morgan Manages Mommyhood	Pumpkin Spice Candied Pepitas
Being Tazim	Chai Spice Pumpkin Cinnamon Buns
Creative Cynchronicity	Pumpkin Hummus
Kitchen Concoctions	Pumpkin Pie Popsicles
MamaPlusOne	Pumpkin Pie Egg Rolls
The TipToe Fairy	Pumpkin Cheesecake Braide
Beyond Mommying	Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
Bullock’s Buzz	Pumpkin Gingerbread with Spiced Glaze
Broken Teepee	Pumpkin Cheesecake w/ Bourboned Pears & Salted Caramel
Kori at Home	Baked Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Donuts
Joy’s Life	Homemade Pumpkin Dog Biscuits
Diana Rambles	Dutch Oven Pumpkin Pie Cake
To & Fro	Apple Pumpkin Baby Cookie Recipe
Basic N Delicious	Pumpkin Rolls
Rebecca Lately	Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

CRAFTS

Ava’s Alphabet	Tissue Paper Pom Pumpkins
Third Stop on the Right	Garden Scene Pumpkin
Happy Go Lucky	Pumpkin Flower Arrangements
Scrappy Geek	Halloween Jack O Lanterns
Real Girl’s Realm	DIY Pumpkin Clock
a paper arrow	How to Use Pumpkins to Decorate at Home
C’mon Get Crafty	Fall Decor with Pumpkins
Love Jaime	Crafting with Pumpkins

Party

Polka Dotted Blue Jay

Red and Orange Fall Dessert Tablescape

Pets

Girl in Betsy

Take Your Dog to the Pumpkin Patch

Joy’s Life	Homemade Pumpkin Dog Biscuits

Beauty
The Bandit Lifestyle	DIY Pumpkin Body Scrub

There are SO many incredible pumpkin posts. Ketchup and I can’t wait to make the pumpkin dog treats for our pup! Bookmark this page so you can come back and try out all the recipes, crafts, and activities with you and your family!

Check back next month when Social Fabric features posts with a cranberry theme. You can always search the hashtag #SoFabSeasons to find more of what you’re looking for!

What pumpkin idea are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments below! Also, check out last month’s Apple Themed roundup here!

Mama Plus One

Making Life Easy So You Can Get Back to What Matters Most