chanelmovingforward

No-Bake Halloween Breakfast

September 26, 2017

This post is sponsored by Butterfinger but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I am so excited that Halloween is in just 5 weeks! It is without a doubt my favorite holiday of the year and I love to stretch out the Halloween festivities as long as possible (I started decorating September 1, ha!) Some of our favorite traditions are going to the pumpkin patch, costume parades, watching family movies and eating yummy food.

As much as I would love to bake all sorts of Halloween goodies I just don’t have the time or patience. I am all about life hacks and what can be done in the quickest way possible. These Butterfinger Peanut Butter Skull Cups breakfast donuts can be used for a bake sale, at the office or even for teachers. It will also save you time, money and most importantly, your sanity. The Butterfinger Peanut Butter Skull Cups and glazed donuts compliment each other so well with the mix of crunchy and moist flavors. Butterfinger is my husband’s favorite candy bar so of course he loved digging into these Skull Cups and nearly ate the entire bag before it was donut time.

I love creating festive memories and traditions that my kids will remember for years to come and these donuts will definitely be sticking around. Candy is so widely associated with Halloween so it seems natural to add some to a festive breakfast. Butterfinger is a classic chocolate that I always looked forward to receiving during my trick-or-treat days. Expect to see a lot of these Butterfinger Peanut Butter Skulls making an appearance in your kids treat bags.

Have you tried the new Butterfinger Peanut Butter Skull Cups? You can get them at your local Walmart and use the ibotta offer for special savings! Be sure to stock up for all the trick-or-treaters this Halloween! Do you have a go-to Halloween recipe or dessert that you love to make? If so, let me know in the comments!

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My Secret Weapon for Conquering Mealtime Chaos

September 25, 2017

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Red Baron® pizza. The opinions and text are all mine.

Come 6 o’clock I have seen it all. From melt downs to tantrums and hysterical laughter to instant tears. It’s also the time where I have reached my exhaustion breaking point. The last thing I want to hear is fighting, screaming or crying. I’ve never really enjoyed cooking, especially when there are about 20+ directions and tons of ingredients. It’s overwhelming to me and the thought of spending hours on a meal, only for my kids to not eat it, would drive me insane. In our house, mealtime has never been a battle. If the kids don’t want to eat, fine. If they do, that’s great. I’ve learned that simple meals go over a lot better than fancy foods. A staple in our house for dinner is Red Baron® pizza. The Red Baron® Classic Crust is one we can all agree on. It’s not too thick and not too thin, with just the right amount of crunch. I also love that I can find it right in the frozen section at Target. It’s a match made in Heaven since I am there a few times a week. I’ve always been a fan of things that make my life easier. Because after all, if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy! To make mealtimes run a little smoother in our household, I tend to follow five simple basics.

Tips for a Stress Free Dinner

Make Mealtime fun! It’s a no brainer, kids respond to fun. The more you can make a potential battle seem like a day at the beach, the easier it is for everyone. Whether it’s everyday food cut into shapes, serving dinner on their favorite character plates, or a classic cheese pizza and a movie, dinnertime can be fun and laid-back.
Dinner doesn’t always have to be eaten at the dinner table. After my kids have been in school all day having to sit, be still and listen to rules, how can I possibly expect them to sit still at the table for a meal? We are totally laid back when it comes to where the kids eat. Now that the brutal Atlanta summer is behind us, we have loved enjoying mealtime together on the deck.
Don’t make mealtime a big deal. Have you noticed that the more you want your child to do something, the more they resist you? When dinner is ready I don’t make a huge spectacle or announce it. I simply set the plates down in front of the kids and say “Dinner!” one time.
Limit the amount of liquids. I don’t know about your kids, but mine can chug 10 ounces of milk in record breaking time. Then, not surprisingly, they’re full and want nothing to do with food. I make sure that they at least finish half of what’s on their plate before giving them milk.
Last but not least, give yourself some credit! After a long day, us mama’s know that our patience has run thin and we are counting down the hours until bedtime. Don’t let the stress of mealtime get to you. Remember, don’t sweat the small stuff. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter if kids eat their dinner or not.

I’ve always approached motherhood with a “whatever works” attitude. I believe that babies should be fed, kids should be happy and parents should cut themselves some slack. I don’t stress over being the perfect parent and having my kids be geniuses. I do the best that I can knowing that my children are immensely loved. Just because you’re not feeding your children fresh, organic produce grown in your backyard does not mean you’re failing at being a parent. Mothers around the world all deserve the title of The Ultimate #WingMama, who helps busy moms find humor in the often-hectic moments of motherhood. The patches earned as a Red Baron® Ultimate #WingMama include Napkin Ninja, Clean Plate Club, Freezer Wizard and Tantrum Slayer. I’ll never forget one day when it was pouring out, there were no groceries in the house and the only thing we had to eat was hamburger buns. I kid you not, I slathered butter on that puppy and let the kids eat several for breakfast. Don’t believe me? Check out this Instagram post to prove it. My husband and I try to find humor in our everyday raising kids. Between all that life gives us to juggle, mealtime shouldn’t be one of them.

Right now you can have a little fun with The Baroness Instand Scratch & Win Game at RedBaronBaroness.com. Play each day for your chance to win daily prizes! Each day, 2 lucky winners will win a $10 eGiftcard and 3 lucky winners will win a $25 eGiftcard!

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Easy Peasy Kids’ Meals You Need to Know About

September 19, 2017

If you’ve been following along for a while, then you know one big thing about me: I HATE TO COOK. Literally, can’t stand it. It brings me zero joy and stresses me out. On the opposite end, I love eating and trying new foods. My kids have fortunately inherited this gene and could eat you under the table in a cheese bunny snacking competition. They also have a pretty basic palate and like to eat foods that most 5 and 2 year olds like to eat. Mac & Cheese, Spaghetti, Chicken Nuggets, etc. It can be really tough to get my kids to eat full meals and sometimes they get tired of the same old glorified snacks that fill their dinner plate (yogurt, cheese, applesauce … are you picking up the no-cook theme?) I want to share my go-to meals that are so delicious and kid and adult approved because sometimes I eat the same foods that my kids do.

I love highlighting brands on the blog that have been tested in our household and proven to be winners. Kidfresh is one of those brands. My kids have been eating their delicious meals for a while now and absolutely love them. They’re full of hidden vegetables and no artificial ingredients. Their wide variety of meals, snacks and sides is far more diverse than anything I could think of making. I don’t have to worry about the meals spoiling in the fridge because I can freeze them and stock up which is such a huge convenience. My favorite thing about this company is how they use real ingredients. Everything listed on the box is an ingredient I can pronounce and easily know what it is. No googling long words or guessing what something is. I know that whenever I feed my children Kidfresh that they are getting wholesome, nutritious meals.

Henry only has about 30 minutes to eat and get ready in the morning before the school bus comes. He’s not a big breakfast person (who is at 6:30am?) so obviously a huge meal is out of the question. Luckily Kidfresh makes the yummiest breakfast bites: Poppin’ Pretzel Bites Egg ‘n Cheese and Poppin’ Pretzel Bites Uncured Ham, Egg ‘n Cheese. They are ready in under 5 minutes and he can take them to the bus stop with him. We all know how busy mornings can be and the last thing we want to worry about his cooking and cleaning up pans/dishes when we’re in a hurry. These bites have been a life saver for us once Henry started going to elementary school. I’m not even ashamed to admit that I have definitely busted out the Wagon Wheels Mac ‘n Cheese for myself at dinnertime. You’d never know that there are hidden pureed carrots inside and also 12 grams of protein. Everything the kids and I have tried from Kidfresh has tasted so delicious. The meals and snacks are sold in the freezer section at Kroger, Target, Whole Foods and numerous other stores. Since I do all my grocery shopping online I love that they’re at major retailers so they can be included with my order.

Have your kids tried Kidfresh meals? If so, which one are their favorite? Here is a $1.00 off coupon to use for any one Kidfresh meal!

*This post was sponsored by Kidfresh. As always, all opinions are my own*

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How I Unwind After a Long Day

September 18, 2017

I feel like the never-ending phrase that moms use is “I am so stressed” followed by “I am so tired.” It seems as though there are not enough hours in the day to set aside for US. Whether you’re a working woman, college student or mother, unwinding after a long day is crucial to maintaining overall wellness for mind and body.

I know a lot of moms unwind with a glass of wine come 5pm but surprisingly I do not drink very often so this isn’t a stress reliever for me. The more I drink the more I eat and then end up feeling bad about my late-night snacking. I’ve found that I don’t need alcohol to help relieve stress or anxiety, instead what I use and recommend is the best cbd oil for anxiety you can buy for an special price at the link. I try to drink as much water as possible in the evening since during the day it can be tough to remember with everything else going on. I wanted to share with you my best methods for relaxing after a long day.

Peace and Quiet – I am around kids screaming and talking to me all day long. I am constantly doing things for someone else … breaking up fights, dealing with tantrums, changing diapers, making food, getting milk, washing clothes, picking up toys, feeding the animals, letting the dogs outside and then back inside, etc. The list goes on. My days seem like a blur most of the time and at the end of the day, there is nothing I treasure more than being alone for a little bit. Luckily, I have an incredible husband who works decent hours and is home by 5pm. He knows how long and redundant the days can be for me and has no problem taking over for a few hours to help. I am able to escape upstairs for some peace, quiet and alone time. I turn on the white noise machine and literally just lie in bed doing nothing but breathing.

Massage – We carry a lot of stress and tension in our bodies which can affect our health and overall wellness. My partner often suffers from aching legs so he has a calf massager that keeps him ache-free. Even if you don’t have a massager at home, you can always do a quick search into the So Heavenly Massage site and hopefully find a suitable way to wind down after such a long week. We can all do with a massage once in a while. I didn’t think home massagers would work at all but he convinced me to get one so I recently tried Zyllion’s portable shiatsu massager to help relieve some of the muscle aches I was having after a long day. The 4 deep-kneading shiatsu massage nodes work wonders to relieve aches, knots, and muscle tension. The heating function adds an extra layer of relaxation and totally makes me feel like a new person. I don’t have time to escape to the spa every week for a professional massage, so this has been a lifesaver. It’s portable, lightweight and convenient to bring with me when I travel. The Zyllion shiatsu massager is available on Amazon, which I absolutely love. That means free and fast shipping with easy returns if needed. Not only will the shiatsu massager relieve tension throughout your body, it’ll also help you sleep better. Zyllion will be offering 25% off the ZMA25 massager in either color. Use code 25CHANEL.

Exercise – And I don’t mean hitting the gym at full speed. You can boost relaxation with yoga and meditation and there are tons of free apps with yoga books and YouTube videos so you can practice at your own pace,.

If you need to get out of the house and want something a bit more energizing, try going on a walk in your neighborhood. Now that the weather is getting cooler, I love evening strolls to clear my head. Try and leave your phone at home so you can really disconnect from the day. If you have a job that requires a lot of sitting, then walking is so beneficial for your body and mind. Use the best non see through leggings to practice yoga at the comfort of your home.

Relax in a Bath – Who says you can’t pamper yourself while at home? We have a huge bathtub in our master and back in the summer I decided to give it a good cleaning and commit myself to soaking it in at least once a week. I light my favorite Village Wax Melts, put a face mask on, play some calming music and just enjoy a good soak.

Reading – Did you know that reading before bed can help you fall asleep easier and enjoy a better night’s sleep? I used to read every night before I had kids and have really missed it. There must be two dozen books in my Amazon shopping cart that I need to get and start. It’s so nice to curl up with a good book, a cup of hot tea and use my shiatsu massager on my lower back and neck. I can literally feel the stress and tension leaving my body.

Have your tried the Zyllion shiatsu massager? What do you do to unwind at night? I would love to hear in the comments below!

*This post is sponsored by Zyllioninc. As always, all opinions are my own*

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Graduate Athens

September 12, 2017

A few weeks ago my husband and I got to escape for a staycation to the incredibly charming Graduate Hotel in Athens, GA. An intimate 122 room boutique hotel located in the middle of Athens, The Graduate is within walking distance to the nightlife but just far enough away to enjoy a peaceful afternoon and evening. The basics: Parking is free, the hotel is pet friendly, a shuttle service is available for around town, and they offer free bike rentals for guests. There is a 24 hour fitness center, AC is located in the room and very efficient, a great pool for hot summer days, and an award winning spa. Not only does the Graduate encompass small town Southern charm, but it has all the big city amenities you could want when traveling,

We stayed in the Hoyt House in a gorgeous king suite with antique furniture, a spacious living room, brand new flat screen tv, mini SMEG fridge and stately bathroom. You can’t help but smile when you walk in for the first time. The attention to detail and finding the right pieces to go with the rooms theme was definitely appreciated. The bed was extremely comfortable, as were the pillows. Even though we were on the first floor and college was back in, there was no street noise or loud college kids at all. From the moment we checked in until we headed back to Atlanta, the entire staff were so accommodating and gracious. It really made the trip a memorable one. It’s rare when a beautiful hotel gets everything right, but Graduate Athens exceeded my expectations on every level.

As someone who absolutely loves vintage accents and decor, the Graduate was a visual buffet of bright colors and impressive pieces from decades past. Each room is decorated differently with it’s own unique old school finds. The lobby is so welcoming with an abundance of communal tables and seating. Just to the left is the adorable Iron Works Coffee which has plenty of caffeinated goodness to get your day started. There’s a breakfast menu with pastries and a chicken biscuit that rivals the famous Chick-fil-A version. They also serve beer and wine if you’re looking to take a drink back to your room, the pool, or just to sip on in the lobby. I loved how the rooms and buildings were placed throughout the property. We were there on a Saturday which had a concert and wedding happening but you would never know it. There was ample parking and staff attending to everyone and it never felt crowded, loud or busy. It was everything I wanted for a night away.

What makes the Graduate Athens stand out from other hotels in the area is their in-house music venue. The Foundry hosts national, regional and local musicians. We had the privilege of enjoying a heavenly dinner there while watching a live show. The service was top-notch, the drinks were prepared to perfection and the food could not have been better. I am still dreaming about the Pink Guava Margarita and Pulled Shoestring Fries (Georgia queso, house pulled pork, pickled peppers, peach country jam and fries). The atmosphere at The Foundry is trendy but casual. Jeans and a t-shirt are just as popular as a pretty cocktail dress. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly and the staff really make this venue and restaurant stand out from others I’ve been to.

A huge thank you to Graduate Athens for hosting us. We had the best time and it was just what we needed! If you are in the Atlanta area or surrounding cities and want to get away, then you need to visit the Graduate. It has everything you need for an amazing weekend. Bring the kids, bring the dogs, bring your parents or come for a girls weekend and I guarantee you are bound to have a wonderful time.

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How I Combat After School Chaos

September 8, 2017

This post is sponsored by Kraft Lunchables Organic but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Now that Henry has a month of Kindergarten under his belt, we are slowly creating a new normal again. Our routine is very different than it was during the summer. No more late nights, skipping baths, and hanging out at the pool all day. We limit the after school activities because I highly feel that for Henry, school is enough at his age. Without a routine in our house, the hours of 3pm-8pm would definitely be a disaster. Here are my five tips that help me combat the after school chaos!

1. Tidy the house. Let’s face it, messy houses and rooms can cause internal chaos for adults and kids. I make sure the kitchen and living room and clear of clutter and that toys my 2 year old has played with during the day are put back where they belong. However, I am not the maid and I implemented this rule with Henry early on last year in Pre-K. As soon as he gets home, he hangs his backpack up, puts his school clothes in the laundry (because ew, germs), and puts on some comfortable clothes. He is so used to these few steps that I don’t even have to ask him.

2. For Moms (and Dads): Put away phones and electronics. Devoting as much time as you can to school aged children who have been away from you and their home all day is important. They want to know you missed them and are interested in what they have been up to. I try my absolute hardest to get all my work done by 4pm each day so I can be present and focused when Henry comes home from school.

3. Snacks – Kids and food go hand in hand. My two are grazers and snack throughout the day. Trying to get them to eat a full meal can end in arguments, timeouts and headaches. The new Lunchables Organic are the standby for our after school snack. Quick, yummy, and relatively inexpensive. While my kids and I may not agree on all of the meals I make them, we can agree that Lunchables Organic is a food they enjoy and I love giving to them. Lunchables Organics is USDA certified organic and free of artificial preservatives, flavors or colors*

4. Exercise – After having to sit still for 6 hours and trying to be on their best behavior, kids need to let loose. Getting in some psychical exertion. Being active in the early evening will also allow them to sleep better. For school aged children, a recommended 9-11 hours of sleep each night to be fully rested. Henry loves this Count to 100 video which allows him to move his body and exercise in a fun way, to gte the best shoes for sports and exercises, check out this Brooks catalog. I also let him play outside for 30-45 minutes.

5. Routine – No matter how you spend your after school hours, routine is important. As rare as it is, my 5 year old still needs a short nap when he gets home from Kindergarten. From 3-4pm he takes a quick nap in his room. Afterwards we have snack, outdoor & indoor playtime, dinner, bath and then lights out!

So tell me, what are some tips you swear by to help combat the after school chaos? Have your kids tried the new Lunchables Organic? Be sure to follow along on their super cute social channels: Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

* See back panel of any Organic Lunchables item for ingredients used to preserve quality.

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Watermelon Pizza

September 1, 2017

Happy September 1! I am so glad that summer (for the most part) is behind us and hoping that cooler temps start to come soon. Our 6 year wedding anniversary is on Monday so Labor Day weekend is always really special to us. I am really looking forward to the last holiday weekend of summer and a 3 day break which means lots of family time. I wanted to share an easy and fun recipe (I use that term lightly here) that you can make for any Labor Day parties you may have. Watermelon is one of my favorite foods and I could legit eat an entire one by myself.

WATERMELON PIZZA 4 WAYS:

1. Blueberries & Chia Seeds

2.Blackberries & Caramel Sauce

3.Coconut Shreds & Cherries

4.Granola & Mini Chocolate Chips

VOILA! That is it. So simple and so tasty. You can whip it up last minute for a gathering or just make for the kids to enjoy as an after school snack. Each one tastes so good and different. Happy Labor Day, everyone!

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