This photo was captured using the Sony T Series Rugged Cybershot using the photo paint feature in Sedona Arizona
Fun Hormel Ham Southern Kentucky Derby Ham Cups Recipe #HormelFamily
May 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
We’re still sharing recipes from Hormel this week with the Kentucky Derby theme and as I said I’m not Kentucky Derby expert. My knowledge extends to knowing that horses are involved and I think it’s a race. Am I right? Well Hormel has more to say about the Kentucky Derby and it starts with fun……
The Derby isn’t just about horse racing and southern comfort food. It’s also about sporting classy, fashionable styles in headwear. Encourage your guests, young and old, male and female, to don hats, just like the spectators live at Louisville’s Churchill Downs racetrack. Fancy or homemade, the bigger and funnier the better!
Then it gest better with this recipe:
Hormel Ham Southern Kentucky Derby Ham Cups Recipe
Ingredients:
- 8 slices dark rye bread, crusts removed
- 2 cups Hormel® Cure 81® Sliced Ham, cut into cubes
- 8 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups CHI-CHI’S® Thick & Chunky Salsa Mild
Directions
1 Heat oven to 400ºF. Coat 8 muffin cups with cooking spray.
2 Line each muffin cup with 1 slice bread.
3 In bowl, stir together ham and eggs. Pour 1/4 cup ham mixture into each bread cup. Loosely tent muffin cups with aluminum foil.
4 Bake ham cups 20 minutes or until eggs are set. Top each with heaping spoonful salsa.
For more recipes check out the Hormel Foods Recipes Facebook page.
This post is part of being an ambassador for Hormel and the Hormel Family program.
Jumping Through Walt Disney World Without Children
May 20, 2012 By 8 Comments
I’ve never been to Walt Disney world before, my first time was last month and I went sans children. So what did I do the whole time, I was scoping it out thinking, my daughter would like that, my son would like that and I ventured into three of the five parks all in one day. Whew I was tired and I imagine that a day through Walt Disney World with children would be exhausting too.
As I was traveling around the parks I enjoyed the day taking photos with a friend of mine. Jeana from Deals 4 Dummies spent the day with me. We wanted to ride roller coasters. I love roller coasters and haven’t been to a “park” since my kids were born, well since I got married. My husband and I did go to Disneyland twice before we had kids but we didn’t go very often. So I was so excited to get to spend the day at the park and I was amazed at how bit it is. It’s like it’s own city, just getting into one of the parks. Then you have to ride a bus, boat or tram to get from one park to another. And Epcot is The Hub, which I found odd, I figured Walt Disney World itself “Magic Kingdom” would be the hub.
We stared our adventure that day at Epcot.
Then we went to Magic Kingdom and found that most of the rides and things there were for little kids. So I’ll go back and explore Magic Kingdom more with my children. So from Magic Kingdom we went to Hollywood Studios. There we rode the Tower of Terror five times. I love the thrill of going up and down, I think that’s why I love roller coasters so much.
One of the best photos we got was an unofficial photo. Daisy wanted to jump with us and her Disney World Handler said umm not with our camera. So we gave him our camera and he took the shot for us. Look, even Daisy got some really good air out of that jump.
Just think how much fun it will be having the kids with me next time. I can’t wait to experience all of it through their eyes. They are going to LOVE it. Just like I did if not more so.
Disney paid part of my expenses for this trip as part of the Chimpanzee World Premiere.
Celebrate National Shoe Week at Northgate Mall
May 20, 2012 By 3 Comments
This week is national shoe week. From May 21-25 it’s National Shoe Week isn’t that like the best week ever, I mean it’s a free pass to go out and go shoe shopping right? Well it should be, and your one stop shop for shoes would be any Simon Mall and our closest one is Northgate Mall. Fore more information on deals and happenings at Northgate check out the Northgate Mall’s Facebook page.
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![IMG_4620_thumb[1]](http://momstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_4620_thumb1.jpg "IMG_4620_thumb[1]")
Why Northgate Mall for Shoes?
So many stores have shoes…
The major department stores Macy’s and Nordstrom’s which are right across from each other and Nordstrom’s has all of my favorite brands
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TOMS![clip_image004_thumb2[1]](http://momstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/clip_image004_thumb21.jpg "clip_image004_thumb2[1]")
Crocs
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![IMG_2923_thumb[1]](http://momstart.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/IMG_2923_thumb1.jpg "IMG_2923_thumb[1]")
The Specialty stores have lots of shoes in them. Claire’s has lots of really cute summer styles, flip flops, and saddles my daughter could spend hours looking around in Claire’s.
Even most of the clothing stores have lots of shoes right now, summer sandals are on sale and flip flops line the walls with all the swim suits.
And the kids aren’t left without a selection.
Crazy 8
Sketchers
While we were looking around we found a pair of roller skates inside Sketchers I want a pair of roller skates.
What did we end up buying? We got shoes for both Miles and Zoe.
I was compensated with a gift card to share my experience and opinions for National Shoe Week and what you can find at Northgate Mall.
Cherry Almond Hormel Ham Bundles Recipe #HormelFamily
May 20, 2012 By 13 Comments
Well it’s Sunday and I needed another recipe to share with you guys. I’m trying to do one photo a day and one recipe a day and it’s a lot to keep up with so I’ve recruited the help of another company that I work with regularly to help me out this week. As you may know, I’m a Hormel Family Ambassador and they send me monthly information to share with you guys. This month everything revolves around the Kentucky Derby which is something I really don’t know anything about. But I do understand good recipes.
Hormel® Cure 81® hams the perfect southern centerpiece for your Derby get-together. Varieties like the flavored ham steaks, and cubed/diced packages make for fast and easy delicious dishes like this one here.
Cherry Almond Ham Bundles Recipe
Main Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds
- 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
- 1 1/2 cups finely chopped pitted fresh dark sweet cherries
- 1/4 cup amaretto
- 2 tablespoons dried cherries or cranberries, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 Hormel® Cure 81® Sliced Ham
- 1 (17.25-ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
Directions
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1 Heat oven to 375°F.
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2 In small skillet, sauté almonds in butter until toasted; remove almonds with slotted spoon. Add fresh cherries, amaretto and dried cherries; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer until liquid is evaporated. Remove from heat; cool.
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3 Stir almonds and sour cream into cooled cherry mixture.
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4 Slice ham into 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices. Cut each slice in half again. Divide cherry mixture evenly among slices ham. Top with remaining 8 slices ham.
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5 On lightly floured surface, unfold pastry sheet. Roll into 14×14-inch square. Cut into 4 (7-inch) squares; repeat with remaining pastry sheet.
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6 Place 1 ham stack on 1 pastry square. Bring all 4 corners of pastry together; twist to form bag. Seal edges. Repeat with remaining ham and pastry.
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7 In bowl, beat together egg and milk; brush over pastry. Place filled pastries on baking sheet. Bake 55 minutes. (If pastry begins to brown too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.) Cool 10 minutes before serving.
For more recipes check out the Hormel Foods Recipes Facebook page.
This post is part of being an ambassador for Hormel.
The Best of Summer Grilling Parties & Potlucks
May 19, 2012 By 10 Comments
I really do love cooking and I’m so excited that I received a copy of The Best of Summer Grilling Parties & Potlucks. There are so many really great recipes in this magazine. It’s the kind of magazine that my husband would pick up for me at the newstand when he got groceries for me before we had kids. He used to get me all of the holiday ones to inspire me to cook something new.
We just got a new grill and patio furniture and I intend on fully celebrating summer this year with friends and family and we’re going to pull inspiration from this magazine
Best of Summer, a new warm-weather recipe collection from the editors of Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Country Living, and Woman’s Day, will help you make the most of it. You’ll find delicious ways to take advantage of favorite farmer’s market produce, great new ideas for the backyard grill, and sure-fire crowd-pleasers for your next picnic or potluck.
Fire up the backyard grill and dig into new takes on summertime classics like burgers, dogs, and ribs, or lighten up with tasty chicken and fish recipes like Coffee-Spice Chicken & Fruit-Basil Salsa and Citrus Basil Salmon. When it comes to entertaining, we’ve got you covered, with summer favorites like Deviled Eggs (10 variations!), Honey-Baked Beans, Grilled Corn-on-the-Cob, and (for a special occasion) Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb.
Headed to a potluck or picnic? Take along our Tomato, Corn & Barley Salad, or bring a sweet treat like Macadamia Triangles, Blueberry-Spice Whoopie Pies, or Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cupcakes.
And there’s much, much more, like tips on choosing the freshest, juiciest produce, and clever ideas for (almost) effortless summer parties. Best of all, every recipe is 400 calories or less, so you can eat well without gaining an ounce.
Purchase this special edition for only $9.99 at your local supermarket or bookstore, or buy a digital edition at Zinio.com or Nook.bn.com.
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We received a sample
NatureBox The Monthly Healthy Snack Subscription
May 19, 2012 By 11 Comments
The area I live in home delivery is all the rage, especially for organic produce. I love getting groceries delivered it saves me so much time. This past month I had the privilege of receiving a NatureBox subscription. NatureBox is a subscription service that offers the ability to discover and enjoy healthy snacks on a monthly basis. And after trying them out they are not only healthy but mighty tasty. We tore right through the bag of peppered pistachios. YUM!
For the crunchy family….Their products are made from wholesome ingredients and are Nutritionist-approved. They abide by strict quality standards: No High Fructose Corn Syrup, No Partially Hydrogenated Oils, No Trans Fats No Artificial Sweeteners, No Artificial Flavors, No Artificial Colors. Pure goodness right?
It’s a snack a mother can get behind.
It’s a snack I can get behind, they also have a charity aspect. For every NatureBox sent out, they are helping to feed the hungry. NatureBox donates one meal for every box to feed the over 14 million children in America who go hungry every year. They believe in doing good and eating well.
They currently ship to the 48 continental states as well as FPO/APO addresses and P.O. Boxes.NatureBoxes make great gifts for your friends and family for holidays, special occasions, or anytime. College students, summer campers, teachers, coaches, new parents, and deployed service members all love to receive healthy snacks any time of the year. 
The April Box
My box was the April box and it had four bags in it and they were all nutritious and had a lot of protein in them. This NatureBox is loaded with nutrient rich foods that taste great and will fill you up. That’s what is important to NatureBox. They are constantly working with nutritionists to make healthy snacks and ship them to your doorstep.
Inside my box:
NatureBox Dried Pears
NatureBox Peppery Pistachios
NatureBox Zingy Currants
NatureBox Cranberry Jubilee
Join now to start discovering healthy, hand-picked snacks from NatureBox for $19.95/month Like them on Facebook / Follow them on Twitter
We received samples for this review.
Tastefully Simple Chocolate Almond Pound Cake Recipe with Natural Creamy Caramel Sauce
May 19, 2012 By 9 Comments
A couple months back Emily reviewed some products from Tastefully Simple. She reviewed the Tastefully Simple’s Cozy Comfort Kit…
a convenient way to warm our bellies on a rainy fall day. The Perfectly Potato Cheddar Soup was enjoyed by the whole family and the Bountiful Beer Bread made the made the perfect accompaniment to these warm bowls of soup. Nana’s Apple Cake was a real treat for dessert, but I must admit it is great for breakfast too!
Now that it’s grilling season Tastefully Simple recommended the following items
- Grilled Pineapple Right Side Up Cake
- Grilled Peaches and Pound Cake
- Melissa’s Delightful Dessert Kabobs
- Absolutely Almond Grilled Pound Cake
I picked the Absolutely Almond Pound Cake Mix to try out and review along with the Creamy Caramel Sauce.a rich, deliciously moist pound cake from Tastefully Simple.
The box mix of course is easy to prepare. You just add 1 cup of water and 1 stick and a half of butter melted and mix it all together until really well blended. But I had to change it up a bit so I added 1/2 cup of chocolate chips melted making it chocolate Almond Pound Cake instead of Almond Pound Cake.
And you have to top it off with the Tastefully Simple Creamy Caramel sauce.
We received samples for review.
Stephenie Meyer’s The Host In Theaters March 29, 2013
May 19, 2012 By 44 Comments
THE HOST is an enchanting and fateful story about the survival of love and the human spirit in a time of war. Our world is invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over, while their bodies remain intact. Most of humanity has succumbed.
Have you read this book? I read this book because I liked the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer so very much. The Host are the humans just as the synopsis stated above and there are a few humans that have remained safe and are in hiding coming out only for emergencies. The main character (Saoirse Ronan plays Melanie) is inhabited by one of these aliens (Wanda) and her personality is so strong that the alien can not take full control of her mind so they share the body. The humans don’t trust Melanie anymore being a host and the human part of her wants to be part of the humans more than anything. Why? LOVE Companionship all those things that humans live for.
Melanie is in love but he is disgusted because of the alien inside her. Of course a love triangle develops here, the alien falls in love with a different human. It will be interesting to see if the relationships are truly captured on the screen as they are in the book.
In anticipation of this movie coming out next summer we’re celebrating summer reading.
Enter to Win:
a copy of the book the Host
5 winners
To Enter:
Tell me if you like books or movies more
Extra Entries:
Use the rafflecopter
This giveaway ends June 4th. Please see the giveaway rules.
