The NEW Hangout for Moms: Totsy's Mommy Lounge!
If you are not yet a Totsy Facebook Fan, then go...run now and LIKE their page! Totsy just launched a Facebook app called the "Mommy Lounge", which is the new place to be for moms in the know! It's a place for you to hangout and have lots of FUN winning some pretty awesome swag! How about a a gift certificate worth $2500 to one spa deal or vacation through Spa Rah Rah? Um...if you win that one...please take me with you! Other cool prizes include a $250 Totsy Shopping Spree and an iPad 2. Told ya...Totsy's Mommy Lounge is the place to be!
Here's How Totsy's Mommy Lounge Works:
- Fans are able to access the app via Facebook through the REWARDS tab
- Once you allow permission, you will automatically receive 1,000 points
- Fans are able to view all kinds of content
- By interacting with the app (LOVE a piece of content, SHARE a piece of content, take polls/quizzes, etc) you will be able to acquire points
- Points unlock levels, which gives you access to promotional codes (ie – free shipping) and enters you for a chance to win huge prizes (iPad 2, Totsy shopping spree and $2500 spa voucher)
- The more you interact with the app, the high your chances of winning the ultimate prize.
- Dont forget to refer friends to the Lounge from the Lounge to get even more points!
For more information or to sign up for your FREE Totsy account, visit Totsy.com.
I am a compensated member of the Totsy Mom Committee. Affiliate links are used in the above post. All opinions expressed in this article are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.
Promote Your Giveaways: Giveaways Galore Link Up
Link up your giveaways!
Please make sure to link directly to the giveaway and list the name of the giveaway along with the expiration date. Don't forget to stop by Go Graham Go to link up over there as well!
Fat-Free & Delicious Treat! How To Make Meringue Cookies (Recipe)
I love baking cookies annnnd I love eating them even more. The scale, however, does not like the aftermath of an afternoon spent eating both the cookie dough and the baked cookies LOL. That's ok though because there's an alternative to all of that fat and calories...meringue cookies. They are fat free! But meringue cookies are not your typical fat free, tasteless fare. These delicate and light-as-air cookies are delicious! You can add all sorts of flavorings to the basic vanilla recipe. I love to add instant coffee granules and cocoa powder to mine (pictured below).
You can color them, sprinkle them...
serve them on a stick...
make them into any shape you'd like...hearts for Valentine's Day...
Meringue Cookies
Basic Recipe
3 egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Mocha Meringue Cookies
2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso powder
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Directions:
Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If you want to make shaped meringue cookies, then trace your design right onto the parchment paper and then place on the baking sheet design side down so that the ink or writing doesn't leach onto your cookies.
Before you start, make sure that your mixing bowl and beater is squeaky clean. Any fat on your kitchen equipment could ruin your meringue. It's also a good idea to have three bowls to use for separating the egg whites: a small one to crack the egg and let the egg white fall into, another for the yolks, and the third should be the mixing bowl. Once you determine that the egg white in the small bowl is free of any yolk then you transfer it to the mixing bowl. This way you ensure that there isn't a speck of yolk in the mixing bowl, which would also ruin the meringue. And, finally allow your egg whites to come to room temperature. They will whip up much better!
OK, let's get started! In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium until they are foamy (a few seconds)...
Add cream of tartar and mix on medium speed until the mixture forms soft peaks...
Turn the mixer to high speed and start adding the sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time until all of the sugar is incorporated and the meringue is stiff and very glossy.
Add the vanilla extract and flavorings. Here's the Mocha Meringue...
Or, if you want to color, then add gel food coloring. Some flavorings can affect the color so it's best to stick with the standard vanilla or use other extracts (think peppermint, almond, etc) if you want to color.
Drop by spoonfuls or pipe onto the prepared baking sheet.
This is the point where you can add sprinkles or even a lollipop stick.
Bake in the preheated oven until the meringues are hard--about 2 hours. Turn off the oven, and allow them to sit inside the oven for a few hours or even overnight to finish drying out.
ENJOY!
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo Recipe
It seems that at least two or three times per week this Fall and Winter, there's been a big ole' pot of soup or stew bubbling away on the stove. One of our favorites is a spin on chicken and sausage gumbo recipe that I got from Martha Stewart. It is so hearty and full of flavor--you just want to eat bowl after bowl! The good things is that it utilizes a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, which saves on time and makes this an easy dish to make even on a weeknight. I did tweak this recipe quite a bit by sauteing the sausage, adding twice the amount of chicken stock, replacing the okra with green beans, and a few other changes to the cooking process. The recipe below makes a huge batch--enough for two nights of dinners, which is perfect because this is definitely one of those soups that taste even better the second day. Adapted recipe provided below--hope you enjoy!
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 red bell pepper (ribs and seeds removed), chopped
1 green bell pepper (ribs and seeds removed), chopped
1 large white onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 lb. green beans, cut into 1 pieces
8 ounces smoked (precooked) andouille sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1 inch thick
1 rotisserie chicken (about 2 1/2 pounds), skin and bones removed, meat shredded (about 4 cups)
8 cups chicken stock
Directions
Prep your ingredients...
In a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, saute the andouille sausage until some of the fat has rendered down and the sausage is golden brown. Remove from the pot and set aside.
Add the vegetables to pot and saute for about 5-6 minutes. Remove from pot and set aside with sausage.
Add the oil and heat over medium heat. Add flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until pale golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the vegetables and oregano; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
Stir in the vegetables and oregano; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
Add 8 cups chicken stock; stir in sausage and chicken. Bring to a boil and then turn heat down to low and allow to simmer until vegetables are tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; if needed. Serve with thick wedges of cornbread.
Promote Your Giveaways: Giveaways Galore Link Up
Link up your giveaways!
Please make sure to link directly to the giveaway and list the name of the giveaway along with the expiration date. Don't forget to stop by Go Graham Go to link up over there as well!
Memphis The Musical is "Fantastical"!
Last night, Mike and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary with dinner and we went to see Memphis The Musical. Here's what I have to say about Memphis...Wow! WOW! WoW!
About Memphis the Musical:
Turn up that dial…From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, comes a hot new Broadway musical that bursts off the stage with explosive dancing, irresistible songs and a thrilling tale of fame and forbidden love. Inspired by actual events, Memphis is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves — filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock ‘n’ roll.
Memphis was such an electrifying performance raw with emotion and hope. The dancing was amazing. The music and singing was beautiful. It had you laughing out loud one moment and in tears the next. Honestly, words do not do any justice to just how amazing this performance was. It is by far, my favorite musical to date! To borrow a word from Huey the DJ...Memphis is "fantastical"!
You can catch Memphis The Musical from Jan. 31st – Feb. 5th, 2012 at the fabulous Fox Theater in Atlanta. For more information on the show and tickets please click here.
I was provided with a pair of complimentary media tickets to the show. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.
The Perfect Gift for a Flower Girl: Flower Girl World
If you know of anyone that is getting married soon or know of a future flower girl, then you have to let them know about Flower Girl World. This is an adorable collection of picture, activity, and chapter books that is solely dedicated to flower girls. The center of the collection revolves around the picture book, Camellia the Fabulous Flower Girl, which follows the story of Camellia and her journey as a flower girl in her aunt's wedding. This is a beautiful hardback book with glossy pages and cute illustrations. It's sure to be a hit among little girls ages 4 years and up!
About the Book:
Camellia Azalea Gardenia Bloom thinks she knows everything about being a flower girl. She can dance down the aisle, smile in a special way, and drop petals in a perfect path behind her. But Cami is in for a huge surprise – she’s not the only fabulous flower girl at her aunt’s wedding! Join Cami on her big day as she discovers a new world of friendship, and more flower girl fun that she could have ever imagined.
There is also a Celebration Kit available (pictured below), which is filled with lots of goodies and would make the perfect flower girl gift! Future flower girls can read about Camellia, practice being a flower girl with the enclosed flower petals and basket, and keep track of their journey in the included memory scrapbook.
The set includes:
- Hardback picture book, Camellia the Fabulous Flower Girl
- Chapter book, Rosie and the Wedding Day Rescue
- Official Flower Girl World certificate
- Practice petals
- Mini felt basket
- Glitter flower stickers
- Wedding day activity book
- Memory scrapbook
- Crayons
- 6 collectible character bookmarks to share with friends
What a great way to get young girls ready and excited about being a flower girl. So cute! For additional information or to purchase, please visit FlowerGirlWorld.com.
The featured product{s} in this post were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or pr company representing the company. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by anyone. Please refer to this site's Terms of Use for more information.
