McKinney Mommas: October 2014 Google+

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Diaper With Best Leakage Protection? Huggies Snug & Dry #MC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Mom Central for Huggies and Target. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.


I'm on my third and last bambino over here in McKinney Momma-land, and I after changing literally thousands of diapers over the past three years - I'm still sticking to my original brand - Huggies Snug & Dry diapers.

Now, please don't think I'm so close minded that I never ventured out and tried other brands.

I did. Probably most of them, but my babies bums keep wanting just one brand - Huggies.

huggies diapers, snug & dry, natural care wipes, baby holding banana
Baby # 3 aka."The Bookend" - 6 months old
It's probably the SureFit* 12-hour leakage protection design, with a totally flexible waistband that keeps me depending on these diapers - since my babies are super squirmy.

Or, maybe we just like the cute Mickey Mouse graphics (hee, hee) but either way, I can count on one hand (maybe two) how many blow-outs and leaks we've had over the past 1,305 days - yes, that's how long I've been graced with the title, "MOM." 

Now all I need is for the diapers to be delivered to my doorstep.  Oh, wait it looks like Target is ON IT!  

Check out Target's new subscription service for diapers, wipes and other baby essentials to be sent to your home right when you need them most! 

baby, diapers, huggies, natural care wipes
Baby O. in Huggies (now 2 years old)
I'm not joking, I can pick out the Huggies from a lineup. 

I was at the park last week, and I noticed a mom of a young baby (maybe 10 months old) scurrying her daughter off the play equipment, with a trail of baby pee behind her.

I then overheard her telling her other mommy friend that her daughter's diaper wasn't even full and couldn't figure out why it was leaking.

One look at that baby bum, and I could pick out the brand.....it wasn't Huggies. I almost went over there to give her a little whisper about my favorite brand of diaper, but decided to not be....THAT type of mom. 

Let's hope she figures it out on her own, or maybe a mom closer to her will tell her. 

Huggies, Target, Natural Care Wipes

I don't mind brand jumping!

If another product from a different company works better - for example just since I like the Snug & Dry diapers doesn't mean I feel obligated to also choose their wipes.

Just so happens to turn out that my favorite wipes are also Huggies - the Natural Care line. 

Big Sister H. (my 3 year old) has always had sensitive skin and deals with eczema. I've found that she often reacts to anything with fragrance or certian other ingredients, but Huggies Natural Care wipes have always worked for her. 

Plus, the wipes come in designer tubs that are made to match any room without screaming BABY OVER HERE! Well, they also have Pooh bear, but that's just classic cute! 

#mc, huggies, snug & dry
"The Bookend" Queen of the House - 6 months old

Your job.....if you choose to accept it: 

Do me a favor, and if you haven't tried Huggies yet, print out the coupon below and next time you are in Target, pick up a pack of Snug & Dry diapers and Natural Care wipes.


 
I'm pretty sure you'll agree with me that they provide the best coverage against leakage when it comes to your baby's bum. 


For more information, and to get the latest coupons and deals, follow Huggies on Facebook and Twitter.


 

Monday, October 27, 2014

Have You Bought Her Holiday Dress Yet? 25% OFF Tea Collection


My daughter's outfits for their Christmas photo last year were from Tea Collection.

I just love their unique fabric prints and quality.

Anyway, here's a great sale, 25% off everything only today and tomorrow!


Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Inspiration For School Lunches #RockTheLunchbox + Giveaway!




It's not easy to stay inspired about making your kids lunch day after day, is it?

Rock the Lunchbox is a great resource for those of us who are tired of trying to dream up exciting new lunches to pack for our kiddos.

I was challenged by the site to ask my child to draw their "Dream Lunch" and then turn it into a more nutritious lunch, using some of our favorite organic and natural lunch / snack brands - like Annie's Homegrown, Applegate, Honest Kids, etc.


Annie's homegrown, Applegate Half Time Lunch Kit, Blue Avocado Rezip Bag
Baby O. trying out her new Blue Avocado Rezip Bag (left) & Big Sister H. happy to try Applegate Half Time Lunch (right)


Well, my three year old either knew what was going on, or she's just THAT wise.

She chose to draw herself eating an apple and a cracker. Now that didn't give me much to work with.

Oh, well.


Honest Kids, Stonyfield Yogurt Pouch, Figs, rockthelunchbox.com

























Being that we had just been to the farmer's market, my daughter helped me choose some of her favorite items for a healthy lunch.


  • Fresh, organic carrots with hummus dip
  • PB & J on Rudi's White Bread
  • Fresh Mozzarella Balls
  • Figs from the Farmer's Market
  • Annie's Bunny Fruit Snacks
  • Stonyfield YoKids Yogurt 
  • Honest Kids Berry Berry Good Lemonade

Check out this new Bento Lunchbox by Laptop Lunches (pictured above), I love how each little food gets its own compartment.  My daughter loved all the different colors, and finding which foods fit in which boxes. 

Laptop Lunches Bento Boxes are recyclable, reusable, BPA & Lead Free, totally eco-friendly so you can feel good that your child's (or your own) food is safe and secure.

Many of the compartments come with lids as well, so you can keep each lunch item from spilling out onto the others.




You know, according to a national survey, finding variety in packing school lunches is the biggest challenge for parents. Plus, 53% of kids reported they have the same items in their lunch every day!



B-O-R-I-N-G! 


If you need to find ways to make your kids lunches more exciting, go to: www.rockthelunchbox.com and grab some coupons while you're there for great, organic products your kids will thank you for!



reusable snack bag, blue avocado, eco-friendly bag



I will say that I have been using the Blue Avocado Rezip© Bag (almost daily for my kiddos snacks.

I feel seriously green not having to use a brand new plastic zipper bag every day for their snacks!

What was that?

You want to try the Blue Avocado Rezip© Bag for yourself?

Okay. How about we throw in a Laptop Lunch Bento Box, U-Konserve Stainless Steel Container and a bunch of FREE product coupons?


~ GIVEAWAY ~
Win A #RockTheLunchbox Prize Package - Valued at over $70.00!



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Friday, October 10, 2014

Pollo Tropical - New Restaurant Review in Frisco, TX


Another exciting local #DFW food outing, documented and written by my sidekick, guest writer, Erica R. 


A few Friday's ago, we had a busy day and were starving for a late lunch. Lucky for us, Pollo Tropical had its Grand Opening that day! I’ve been excited to try this place, as they offer “a uniquely tropical twist on fresh, healthy, hand prepared food.”



Before we ate, we had a little fun at the Grand Opening Events outside. The girls spun a prize wheel and we had fun in the photo booth while listening to steel drum music to set the tropical mood.




They chose paper fans – it’s hot outside!



 
“Momma, it sounds like the jungle out here!”

Then we ventured inside to try our lunch. The girls chose their Kids Meals; one chose the Mac ‘N Cheese Bowl, the other chose the Rice Bowl with Beans & Chicken.  She got to choose from white, brown or yellow rice and black or red beans. 

They have a long list of signature sauces that you could choose with the any meal as well (she chose none, oh well!). The Kid’s Meals come with a drink and a guava bar for dessert.


 
They were so hungry they didn’t want to sit still for a picture! There is a lot of food in those bowls!

I ordered Calypso Beef and Yuca with garlic sauce. Pollo Tropical’s Menu describes the Calypso Beef as “Tender prime rib strips with a hint of light beef gravy, then topped with our Calypso Pickled Red Onions” and the Yuca as “boiled Yuca with zesty garlic sauce”. 


My lunch was so good! 

The beef was very tender and had just the right amount of flavor for me. I have never had yucca before; I decided to try something new. I’ll admit it, I wasn’t a fan the first bite. But once I poured the garlic sauce on, it was delicious! It sort of tasted like a potato.



Yum!

Remember the guava bar that came with the kid’s meals? The girls had no interest in them, so of course I had to try it. It also did not disappoint, light & fluffy & sweet but not too sweet.

Just right.


  
Dessert anyone?

We really enjoyed our lunch at Pollo Tropical and will definitely be back. 

They have opened 2 locations in Frisco. We experienced the one at 9055 John Hickman Parkway, and the second location is at 11440 N. Dallas Pkwy.

Join their email club, Pollo Rewards, and you will get a coupon for Buy One Get One Free ½ chicken with 2 sides to use on your next visit!


For more information visit: http://pollotropical.com/


 


Monday, October 6, 2014

Quick Albondigas Soup With La Morena Chipotle Sauce {Recipe}


Growing up in Southern California, I was exposed to many kinds of hispanic food from an early age. I'd like to think my blood flows salsa red, even though I was born a "Gringa"! 

Latin food is by far my favorite cuisine any day of the week, and I think I probably learned some tricks - or at least my palate did from our closest family friends, which was a HUGE family, that just happened to be Mexican and Colombian (married to each other)!
 

#VivaLaMorena #shop #Cbias



I remember going over to Tia Monica's house on the weekend where her albondigas soup would  be simmering, filling the house with amazing scents and lending itself to memories made through sharing warm soup and conversation around the table.

Of course, the Colombian and Mexican tias would argue about the correct ingredients and way to make their albondigas soup, of which they never came to an agreement about - but it was fun to hear them argue and end up all laughing in the end.


#VivaLaMorena #shop #collectivebias


The albondigas soup I remember eating in my childhood took hours and hours to make, but with three little ones I don't have hours to spend at the stove.  So, I've created a quick and twisted version of albondigas soup using La Morena's Chipotle Peppers & Sauce.

By using the amazingly savory and spicy #VivaLaMorena Chipotle sauce, you can add instant depth of flavor to get this soup where it needs to be in under an hour instead of having to simmer all day. 

As the fall weather started to turn cold last week, I ventured out to my local Food 4 Less store to see if I could rustle up the ingredients I wanted for my quick version of albondigas soup. 

I found Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (which I use in my recipe), Pickled Jalapeno Peppers and Chipotle Sauce in stock. So, figured I'd give them a whirl in my soup pot.


#VivaLaMorena #shop #collectivebias


R-E-C-I-P-E

Quick Chipotle Albondigas Soup


Ingredients:

8 cups chicken broth
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 cup kale, chopped
2 large carrots, sliced
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
1 14oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
1lb ground pork or mixture of 1/2 lb pork + 1/2 lb ground beef
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1-2 La Morena Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, diced finely
1 bunch cilantro

Instructions: 

#VivaLaMorena #shop #collectivebias


Step 1: Add chicken stock to a large soup pot, add onion, kale, carrots, tomato sauce, diced tomoatoes, cumin, oregano and bring to a light boil.


#VivaLaMorena #shop #collectivebias




Step 2:  While soup and veggies are coming to a boil, combine in a separate bowl ground pork, eggs, rice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper.



Step 3. Roll meatballs into ping-pong sized balls and place on a clean surface (plastic cutting board) while waiting for soup to come to a boil. Once soup is boiling, drop meatballs in carefully, and lower to a simmer.


#VivaLaMorena #shop #collectivebias



 Step 4.  Add 1-2 chipotle peppers, diced finely depending on how spicy you like your soup. feel free to dallop in a few teaspoons of the delicious adobo sauce from the can to intensify the deepness of the chipotle flavor.

Stir and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the rice in the meatballs is cooked.  


#VivaLaMorena #shop #collectivebias



Step 5. Dish soup into bowls and top with fresh cilantro. That's it! You're done!


NOTE: You could also provide radish and La Morena Pickled Jalapeno Peppers as toppings. 



For more information on where to find La Morena products near you, visit:  https://www.facebook.com/lamorenausa


#VivaLaMorena
#CollectiveBias
 

Could it get any easier? Now, take that spoon and dig into that authentic Mexican flavor!