Summer Treats Don't Wait for the Truck #IceCreamRun

Back in the 1970s and 1980s I remember summer childhood including ice cream trucks. How about you? That iconic truck and music was always the signal to run in the house and get change to grab a quick summer treat. It was easy to treat yourself when the truck came right in front of your home. Now days it is extremely rare to hear that sound or see that truck unless it is in a movie. If my kids waited for an ice cream treat to come to the door by said truck they would never get a treat on hot summer nights! When was the last time an ice cream truck came through your neighborhood?

Thanks to this sponsored post by Global Influence I was able to make an ice cream run for my girls this summer. Even though it is sponsored my own thoughts and opinions are expressed here! I totally surprised them with treats! I had to run errands in a neighboring town and when I came home I had boxes of ice cream treats. I felt like the modern day ice cream truck when I walked in with the goodies! Here are a few photos of my quick shopping trip to Walgreen!

Can you say Klondike, Magnum, Fruttare and Breyers?! I was not sure what to get the teens so I grabbed one of each!!! 

Breyers is one of my hubby's favorite ice creams! Yes I had to get something for him on the #IceCreamRun

We had an ice cream party as soon as I got home from Walgreens. In no time everyone was picking out their favorite summer treat and eating it. We had a few extra ice cream treats left over which were hidden away in the freezer and easy to grab for their next craving.

It was so convenient to make this ice cream run for the teens. I do wish at times that we still had ice cream trucks going through the neighborhood but that would mean that they would have to wait around for a treat. All my teens have to do is open the freezer!

Which of these Unilever brand ice cream treats are your family favorites:  Magnum, Breyers, Klondike, Frutare, or Popsicle? Make an ice cream run today! 

Rock Your Workout Event Sweepstakes Giveaway

Who is ready to rock your workout with some new gear? I'm on a healthier lifestyle journey and I'm personally so excited to get some of the MPG brand clothing to workout with at the gym. I'm finally needing new and smaller exercise tops and bottoms and ready to try the MPG line. My teen, who works out with me, told me that I needed new clothes. Some of my shirts she told me to stop wearing because they are way too big for me!

What do you work out in? Lucky you I get to bring you this Rock Your Workout Event Sweepstakes where 3 of you will win big! Enter below.

organized by Mom Powered Media and Purple Monster Coupons

Terri Ingraham | The Sugar Free Glow , Here We Go Again...Ready? and The Frugal Exerciser

ABOUT MPG

MPG is a brand of clothing which fuses fashion sensibility with performance function.

In our drive to develop the ultimate active apparel, we have achieved garments that feel and look so great on, you will want to wear them for everyday use. MPG has effectively blurred the lines between fashion and performance.

Truly powerful action is the result of an equally passionate vision and drive to achieve. Behind the energy for perfection surges the will to attain it. In recognizing this balance, MPG has developed a line of clothing that seamlessly blends fashion and function, design and performance. The results are richly detailed pieces with a technical edge — an entire collection unparalleled in conception and construction. MPG, inspired by the smooth, strong movements of performers such as athletes and dancers, celebrates the drive, dedication and perseverance of these phenomenal individuals.

MPG applauds their unyielding pursuit of excellence, through sacrifice and discipline, with respect and admiration. The brand’s versatility allows for more than just function; it embodies style and comfort by offering a range of clothing to suit any activity in any environment, at the apex of vision and vigor.

We welcome you to experience the World of MPG. Go HERE to check out MPG's website!

MPG has offered not 1 but 3 prizes of YOUR choice of top, bottom, jacket and tote! This prize is available for both MALES and FEMALES ! Prizes are also open to USA/CAN!!!

RULES:

• MUST reside in USA or Canada (void where prohibited such as Quebec)
• ONE entry per household
• ends august 14/14
• you have 2 days from when I send the winning email to claim prize or another winner will be chosen!
• fill out form CORRECTLY ( I will be checking all entries)
• facebook, twitter, etc are NOT liable in anyway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: MPM was compensated for this giveaway. ALL other participating bloggers DID NOT receive any compensation for this giveaway. MPG is the ONLY one responsible for the prizes. Facebook, twitter, pinterest etc is NOT responsible or liable in ANYWAY for this giveaway! If you want to work with Mom Powered Media (MPG) or have any questions please message Natasha at natasha@mompoweredmedia.com ! Good luck guys!

Kids and Sports! How do you Afford all of it?

How many sports do your kids participate in all year long? It seems like most kids go from one sport to the next during the school year and then summer sports. In our home we've had the girls in Soccer, Swim team, Volleyball, Tae Kwon Do and Cheerleading. I love that they have tried a wide variety of sports. I personally have loved watching them participate. Through sports they have learned how to be a team player and that it takes all sorts of people to build a team. Sports taught them about commitment, too. Once they commit to be on a team they have to stay and give their all through the season. If they decide that they do not want to continue then they don't have to participate the next season. This is a sponsored post through Global Influence. My own opinions are expressed here. 

What have your kids learned in sports? Share in the comments below.

As a parent, we have learned that it isn't cheap to participate in sports. No matter what uniforms and supplies need to be purchased. To help cover some of the cost, teams do fundraisers which almost always includes selling food or doing car washes. This is also great character building for the kids. Sometimes the cost is still a burden on families. I just found out about a way for teams to get team apparel sponsorship with Safeskin on PearUp.com . 

How does this work? PearUp.com is a social engagement platform which helps groups earn sponsorships from brands for free! They do the hard work and matches up sponsors with group and organizations within the community. This makes sponsorship simple and easy for teams and sponsors. Safeskin Youth Sports Wraps is sponsoring teams across the country. Groups can earn up to $1,000 and it is completely free to participate. So far there are more than 1,400 participants and 100 Pears. 

If your child has a team you can create your own Pear for them. I do not have one right now but if you do create one, let me know. Leave your team info in my comments so that I can come support your team. Stop over and give support to the Pear of the team, too!

I think it is great that we can use our social networking to help raise money for youth sports team. Good Luck!

Summer fun on the water: Share your on-water adventures! #DiscoverBoating #mc #sponsored

Do you spend your summer on the water? What are some of your favorite on-water adventures? One of my most favorite on-water adventures was when my family was in Aruba. We spent a lot of time out on the water in paddle boats, canoes, pirate ship snorkeling and even riding the waves on a banana boat.  Some of our best family memories were from being out on the water. I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Discover Boating. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

We are fortunate to live in an area where there are a lot of water activities. Everyone is either fishing, tubing, waterskiing, canoeing, or even just hanging out on the boat. Have you enjoyed any of these activities this summer with the family?

We do not own a boat but members of our church do. They invite us out on the boat to hang out and have fun. Each year our church gathers together on the water for a picnic and afternoon of boating. Everyone brings good food to grill at the shelter and enjoys food all day long. Some tube, swim, jump off the boat into the water and even just hang out on deck in the sun. Here are some photos of one of the on-water adventures!

Another favorite time on water was when we were all at a retreat and many canoes were out on the lake. The canoe my husband was in tipped over! He was not hurt in any way so we do laugh about the experience, now! We are also thrilled that my daughter got photos of the crazy adventure.

Whatever you do, please be safe.

• Everyone should wear life jackets no matter how well they can swim. It takes 1 second for something to go wrong. 
• Drink plenty of fluids because that sun will zap the moisture right out of you.
• Use sunscreen and apply it at least every two hours if you are in the water all day. 
• Always stay in pairs so if something goes wrong the buddy can call for help.
• Don't take risky chances. Make sure you know what you are diving into.

I love all of the resources and activities for boating on DiscoverBoating.com. It is great to have so many educational tools for boaters of all levels on one site. If you are looking for a little bit of boating inspiration then make sure you check out their site. Do you have a spouse that isn't so excited about boating or buying a boat? I loved reading their Spousal Conversion Kit which will have you and your sweeting talking about boating in no time. Look around at their site and find something new. Enjoy your summer and have some fun on the water. 

Ice Cream Twinkie Tiramisu Recipe #TwinkieCookbook #Sponsored #MC

A few years ago I wanted to make tiramisu for a friend but my store did not have lady fingers. After searching the store for an alternative I realized that Twinkies were sponge cake and that would be perfect for a tiramisu dessert. I found that the Twinkies worked great and everyone LOVED knowing that Twinkies could be used in a recipe like this. Have you ever used Twinkies in a recipe? What have you made? I wrote this review while participating in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Twinkies. I received samples and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

The first time I made this recipe I did not use ice cream. I am entering this recipe in the new comeback addition of The Twinkies Cookbook, too! and I wanted to take a new spin on the tiramisu. I've never had a tiramisu ice cream dessert so I mixed up my recipe with the spin of using coffee ice cream. Do you like to create or recreate recipes? If so you should enter your Twinkie inspired recipe here, too! 

Ice Cream Twinkie Tiramisu

Serves 9

Ingredients:  

5 Twinkies 
1 quart Ice Cream, coffee flavor
3 tablespoons Kahlua or any coffee liqueur (optional)
1/2 cup Espresso or coffee 
4 oz. non-dairy whipped topping, thawed 
3 tablespoons Chocolate syrup
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Cocoa powder

Directions:

1) Remove ice cream and whipped topping from freezer 30 minutes before starting recipe.
2) Slice the Twinkies in half, horizontally to end up with 2 long pieces.
3) Mix 3 tablespoons Kahlua and coffee in a shallow container.
4) Dip the Twinkles in the liquid with the cream side up and arrange in an 8 X 8, ungreased baking pan. Only 9 halves are needed.
5) Lightly drizzle Twinkies with chocolate syrup.
6) Spread and smooth out the ice cream on the Twinkies. You'll only need 3/4 to 1 quart.
7) Lightly drizzle ice cream with chocolate syrup.
8) Spread the whipped topping on top of the ice cream.
9) Lightly drizzle on chocolate syrup.
10) Lightly sift cinnamon and then cocoa powder on top.
11) Cover and let dessert set in the freezer for 2-6 hours before serving.  
12) Cut the cake in squares and serve.
13) This cake taste just as good on the 2nd day IF you have any leftovers!

Kitchen Notes:

This recipe took me 15 minutes to make. I sat out my ice cream and whipped topping 30 minutes before starting. This is one of the easiest recipes I have ever created. 

I served this recipe to family and friends and they loved it! At first I didn't tell anyone that I used Twinkies. Once they found out they could not believe it. The sponge cake was just the right texture and held up well with the ice cream. 

It was really fun creating this for them. I love making new recipes and recreating recipes to suit what ingredients I have available. Some of my most favorite recipes are ones like this one where I had to substitute ingredients for an unexpected ingredient. Have you ever had to do this? What ingredient did you have to substitute?

Submit a Twinkie Recipe: 

Time to get on your creative hat and make your own Twinkie inspired recipe. You have now through July 31st to submit a recipe in this fun challenge. Submit here.

Rock Your Workout Event {Bloggers Wanted}

Time to rock your workout and bring this hot prize pack giveaway to your readers! This giveaway event will have 3 winners. Click below to sign up to host this giveaway on your blog!

Rock Your Workout Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media

3 Winners

Prize Pack Includes: Top, Bottom, Jacket and Tote

Event dates: 7/30 - 8/13

Giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents.

SIGN-UP HERE

Bloggers Wanted for the ~ It’s All About The Deck Event

Get your deck in ship shape with this giveaway event! Right now we are looking for bloggers to participate! Click the link to sign up and get your blog promoted.

It’s All About The Deck Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media

5 Winners

Prize: "Deck Care Kits", each valued at $120+

Event dates: 7/31 - 8/14

Giveaway is open to US and Canadian Residents.

SIGN-UP HERE

Summer Sweet Tea Recipes

Bring out the drinks and throw a party! Summer is a great time to entertain especially outdoors. Keep entertaining easy and serve snack recipes and quick sweet tea drinks. I love easy and pre made iced teas are great for mixing with fruits and fruit juices. Here are two summer drink recipes to wet your whistle! 

FESTIVI-TEA COSMOPOLITAN 

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1 bottle 100% Natural Lipton® Iced Tea with Pomegranate Blueberry
3 Tbsp. cranberry juice cocktail
3 Tbsp. orange juice
1 Tbsp. lime juice

Directions

1-Combine all the ingredients in an ice-filled container. 
2-Stir well and pour into chilled martini glasses. 

Tip: For an adult version, replace the orange juice with 2 Tbsp. vodka and 2 Tbsp. orange liqueur.

Finish dinner with this treat.
When your meal is complete, mix up and enjoy the perfect creamy complement.

DAZZLING CREAMY DESSERT DRINK

5 servings 

Prep time: 5 minutes

Stand time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 bottle 100% Natural Lipton Iced Tea with Pomegranate Blueberry
1-1/2 cups half and half
3 Tbsp. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. finely chopped fresh ginger
2 sprigs mint, large 

Directions

1-In a medium pitcher, crush mint with wooden spoon against side of pitcher to bruise. 
2-Add 100% Natural Lipton Iced Tea with Pomegranate Blueberry, half and half, brown sugar and ginger; stir until well blended. 
3-Let stand 10 minutes; remove mint springs.

4-Pour into ice filled glasses and garnish, if desired, with additional mint leaves. 

Tip: For a delicious cocktail, stir in 1/2 cup vodka.

More Tea Recipes

Peach Blueberry Basil Iced Tea

Chai Brownie Cupcakes

White Citrus Sangria

Strawberry Acai Daquir-Tea

Spiced Tea Mix - gift in a jar idea by Savings Lifestyle

Sun Tea - Thrifty Jinxy

Metabolism Boosting Tea by Yes We Coupon

Homemade Ginger Peach Iced Tea by The Happy Housewife

Flu Fighting Tea by Thank Your Body

Sweet Tea Popsicles by A Night Owl Blog

Grocery and Cleaning Saving Tips

It seems like every time I go into the grocery store there are more higher prices on the shelves. Are you seeing this where you live? We now have another grocery store in our town and have actually seen a few price wars over the past few weeks. This is great for our community. Other than that, we are doing our best to save money on our tight grocery budget. Here are some resources and tips for you to save money this summer. 

Stuck between eating well and saving money? This summer, you can make sure both your stomach and your wallet are full. The August issue of Woman’s Day, now on newsstands across the nation, features two covers and plenty of ways to cut down on costs while allowing you to live and eat the way you want to. Want to chime in? Tell us which cover is your favorite at www.facebook.com/womansdaymagazine. 

Tips to Save on Groceries

1-Buy meat at night:

Many supermarkets discount their meat late in the evening so they can move cuts that are nearing expiration out the door before the next delivery. Ask at the meat counter what time the manager makes their markdowns!
You could save: $2 or more per pound

2-Switch to tea for your second (and third) cup:

You can’t be expected to give up your morning joe. But if you tend to have more during the day, drink tea instead and you’ll pocket upward of 40¢ for each additional coffee you don’t have.

You could save: Around $450 a year if you have one cup of coffee per day, not three

3-Freeze soon-to-spoil scraps:

Odds are good that you pitch food scraps, beverages and overripe fruit nearly every day. Expand your idea of what you can save for later – chicken bones, veggie remnants, almost-sour wine, bruised bananas and milk can all be frozen safely and used in recipes at a later date. When you find the time to make soup stock or the kids are clamoring for a smoothie, you’ll be ready.

You could save: 50¢ (or more) per cup of broth, 25¢ per banana and $6.50 for a bottle of cooking wine you don’t have to buy.

Tips to Save on Cleaning

1-Clean with fleece, not disposable cloths

To keep the dust bunnies at bay, cut up an old fleece scarf or jacket, or pick up half a yard of fleece from a fabric store. The fabric attracts ad holds dust, and can be laundered and used again.

You could save: $75 per year, if you use six throwaway dust cloths per week

2-Ditch dryer sheets for tinfoil balls

Crumple a couple of foot-long sheets of aluminum foil into a 2 ½-to 3-in.-diameter ball and throw it in with your laundry to eliminate both static cling and the cost of chemical-laden dryer sheets (use two for larger loads). After a few months, as the balls begin to condense and shrink, simply add an extra sheet or two of foil.
You could save: $20 per year, based on the average of 400 loads Americans do per year

The Woman's Day magazine includes tips on how reduce your grocery bill and eliminate unnecessary costs from simple household chores, you’ll find you have added time and money to relish in the summer sun. Featuring light dinners like pasta with tomatoes, zucchini and pesto for less than $2 per serving and a handful of fresh, easy jam recipes…it’s time to enjoy your summer by spending less!

Easy Summer Fruit Jam Recipes

I love getting all the in season produce at my local stores, farm markets and road side stands. How about you? We eat the produce and at times will turn it into jam to enjoy all year long. Have you ever made your own jam?  We have always found that it taste so much better than big store brands AND it is cheaper! 

The August issue of Woman’s Day, now on newsstands across the nation, features two covers and plenty of ways to cut down on costs while allowing you to live and eat the way you want to. With tips on how reduce your grocery bill and eliminate unnecessary costs from simple household chores, you’ll find you have added time and money to relish in the summer sun. Featuring light dinners like pasta with tomatoes, zucchini and pesto for less than $2 per serving and a handful of fresh, easy jam recipes…it’s time to enjoy your summer by spending less!

Here are two of their featured Jam recipes!

Blueberry, Orange and Lime Jam
Makes 6 Jars

Ingredients

·         2 tsp orange zest

·         2 navel oranges, cut into segments; segments chopped

·         2 lbs. fresh blueberries

·         2 tsp lime zest

·         2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

Directions

Omit the lemon zest and juice and decrease the total sugar to 1 cup. In a bowl, toss together the orange zest, oranges, blueberries, lime zest and juice and ¼ cup sugar. Using a potato masher, lightly crush the fruit mixture and let sit for 15 minutes. Prepare the jam according to recipe instructions, mixing only ¾ cup sugar with the pectin.

Vanilla, Nectarine and Raspberry Jam
Makes 7 Jars

Ingredients

·         1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

·         2 lbs. nectarines, cut into ½-in. pieces

·         1 lb. raspberries

Directions

Scrape out the vanilla seeds into a large bowl. Add the nectarines, and toss with the lemon zest and juice and ¼ cup of sugar; let sit for 15 minutes, then toss with the raspberries. Prepare the jam according to recipe instructions, mixing only 1¾ cups sugar with the pectin and stirring constantly for 3 minutes (do not mash).

Here are the two covers for the August issue of Women's Day. Have you seen them? Have you picked one up? Want to chime in? Tell us which cover is your favorite at www.facebook.com/womansdaymagazine. Thanks to Women's Day for giving me permission to repost these recipes. ENJOY!

More Easy Summer Recipes

Strawberry Margarita Jam Recipe- freezer jam
Best Ever Brownies - everyone loves these!
Mango Salsa
Avocado Feta Salad 
Chunky Guacamole
Blueberry Vinaigrette for easy salad dressing
Easy Chicken Tostadas 
Corn on the Cob with Lime-Chive Butter
Easy Pork Tacos
Aunt Salad
Honolulu Burgers
Spinach Strawberry Salad
Kid Approved Summer Meals
8 Salsa Recipes

The Good Ole Summer Top 10 Reading List of all Time

We are a family who loves books! There have been times when we have had to bribe our girls to read a specific book or books for school but that was rare. When the girls were younger they loved reading anything they wanted in the summer. How about your kids? Do they like to read? How about you? Do you get to read?

It’s that time of year again!  Sit by the pool (of course under an umbrella and covered with SPF 50), read one of those books you’ve been meaning to crack, while sipping on a cool drink.  That’s why the folks over at the sustainable online book store Better World Books put together the list of the top 10 book series of all time.  

Here we go:

10. Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series

9. The Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle

8. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

7. Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series

6. The Tomorrow series by John Marsden

5. L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series

4. Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien

3. The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis

2. Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series

1. Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

What do you think?  Do you think that Sue Grafton's ABC Series or Twilight Series should have a spot on the list? 

Go check out Better World Books www.BetterWorldBooks.com to get some new books for this summer. I love their site. They also have Camp Wonderopolis for summer reading!