Box Tops Rock and Stockup Pantry Giveaway

February 22, 2013 superexhausted 51 Comments

So my kids school has earned in the past years several thousands of dollars in what the school called “Free Money”? How Box Tops for Education . Just by parents looking purchasing for General Mills product and then saving the tops they kids have benefited in the form of new books and tech. The schools is not only the only place in my life my church also collect the tops for education programs so the whole community can contribute.

The General Mills program began as an experiment on boxes of Cheerios in California with first year earnings of only $1 million. It has grown to include more than 240 participating brands providing needed cash for 90,000 enrolled K-8 schools. At the heart of the program is more than 75,000 volunteer Box Tops for Education coordinators who motivate local school communities to collect the 10-cent coupons which are redeemed for cash schools use for whatever they need most.

To celebrate this milestone, this winter, the program is offering a variety of bonus Box Tops on more than 50 million packages at grocery stores and at btfe.com, allowing shoppers to double their earnings with select products. School budget cuts have made the program more and more important over the years as it provides unrestricted cash to help schools with their basic operating needs and programs that would not be possible otherwise, such as field trips, textbooks, musical instruments, playground equipment, classroom technology and arts and cultural programming.

Here are some Ideas to start saving Box Tops for education:

My children’s schools also give the kids inventive. The class with most box tops every month gets a pizza party of ice cream party. Since we save the tops all year my kids love when I give them a big Ziplock of box tops to take to school.
The church leaves a large jug for all the parishioners to leave the box tops, it is left right in the hall where people spill out after church.. so family’s and couples of any age can contribute.
Both my church and schools notify there community in of the box top program in News letters and signs.
It is also fun for the kids to add them up prior to bringing them to school a good math lesson.
The Box Tops For education has a section of all creative ideas of seasonal themed craft projects to get the kids involved
Have a Place to store your box tops at home. This is a great project for your kids to help make. We used a left over Tea Box and decoupage it. We also put the kid who got them last and the date on an Avery Label so we know who get them next. We have kids going to 2 different schools.

General Mills Box Tops are In celebration of reaching more than $500 million to schools since the program started in 1996, Box Tops for Education® and its popular brand partners are offering one of my readers one lucky reader a chance to share in the news while stocking their shelves with some of the most trusted household brands.

The Giveaway to a lucky Superexhausted Reader is Pantry Stock Up gift pack which includes:

New Peanut Butter Toast Crunch® cereal
Nature Valley® Chewy Trail Mix Dark Chocolate Cherry and Protein Salted Caramel
Fiber One® Protein Bars
Progresso® Recipe Starters
Food Should Taste Good® Chips
Green Giant Fresh® Box Tops for Education pencil pouch
Hamburger Helper® Sweet & Sour Chicken and Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Betty Crocker® Mac & Cheese and Au Gratin potatoes
Kleenex® wallet pack and 184 count box
Scott® toilet paper (4 roll) and paper towel roll
Avery® dry erase weekly calendar
Ziploc® bowls and bags

So how can you win this Awesome Pantry Stock Up Prize? Enter using the Rafflecopter form.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Information, products and promotional items have been provided by General Mills and Box Tops for Education and its program partners.

LIfe, Parenting, Photography

A letter to my 12 year old

February 20, 2013 superexhausted 6 Comments

Dear 12 year old son

You are amazing.. you made me who I am today. 12 years ago you came in to this world.. you were not ready to come 43+ hours of induced labor you were not ready to arrive then. My blond haired blued boy.. I was almost 30 and still was not sure I was ready .. but there you were. All 21 inches 6.8 lb tall and skinny. You are mine and no one else will be your mom.. you are always my boy.

Everyone said you were a Toe Head .. it means blond hair blue eyes. I had to look it up. (random thought)

I love everything about you. You may look like your Dad but I get you. I know who you are, you like me. You can get frustrated at yourself. Remember it always works out. Your life is limitless you can accomplish anything.. continue to think differently and outside the box. It is much more fun and fulling life.

Your compassion.. you have show compassion and empathy for others from an early age. Please continue to do some it is one of your greatest gifts. Please find time to give to others.. you will never regret it.

I love that fact that you are kind and even to your sister.

When you can travel see the world and experience new things. You will not regret it.

2 things:

Learn to cook a man who cooks can always feed himself.

Learn to dance a man who can dance is never alone

When you walked away today .. I felt it you are getting older, bigger, and growing into a man.. It makes me sad but also grateful that I was blessed with such a amazing son.

Happy Birthday!

Love Mom

Product Reviews

Cucumber cups and Weekly Menu Plan

February 18, 2013 superexhausted 6 Comments

Cucumber cups make for a great healthy way to contain you little dips and snack. It is very easy to make and gives you a big bang with little effort. Prefect for entertaining, each guest can have there own dip. They are so great to hold dips and salsa or to hold your lunch. You need a pairing knife melon baller and peeler.

Cut 1 1/2-2″ slice of Cucumber (I got 5 cups out of one cucumber)
Score the top of the slice 1/8″ down
Using a carrot peeler peel from the bottom up to the score line. leaving the lip of the cucumber skin.
Then Ball out the center of the cucumber leaving the sides and bottom intack.

Here are some Dip ideas:

Homemade Guacamole
cottage cheese with grapes
tuna with cheese,
chicken salad
hummus
blue cheese,mayo, pepper and hot sauce
salsa
ranch dressing

My husband will be out of the house during the day this week which means I have to do easier meals since I will not have a second set of hands. So this week Menu plan is as follows:

Monday: Baked Chicken with slow cooker mash potatoes and veg
Tuesday : Using Sunday night left over pulled pork, in tortilla wraps
Wednesdays: Fish with asparagus and rice
Thursday: Chicken pasty
Friday: Meat Loaf Muffins left over mash potatoes

I am linking this post up to Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday , Motivation Monday , Centsible life meal Planning

What are you planning for this week?

Philadelphia

The British are comming To the Philadelphia Flower Show

February 17, 2013 superexhausted 4 Comments

The British are coming To the Philadelphia Flower Show. This past week I attended the Philadelphia Flower shows press conference. It was such experience to hear what he show theme is this year Brilliance everything British. Such a fun Idea coming off the Olympics and in anticipation of the Princess Katies new baby.

So Pull out your Fasitnators, eat some tea sandwiches and head to the flower show.

Here are some Packages the Flower show told us about this year.

“Brilliant!” Flower Show Ticket Packages & Experiences

The 2013 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, “Brilliant!” is just weeks away, making today a perfect time to discover fabulous new ticket packages and experiences.

Winning in Bloom Package with SugarHouse Casino and STARR Restaurants. For just $99, receive two (2) Flower Show tickets, a $50 STARR Restaurant Gift Card, $25 in free play and a FREE gift from SugarHouse Casino. Purchase your Winning in Bloom packages through February 18, by visiting SugarHouse Casino, 1001 North Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.

PHS Pre-Show Sneak Peek. For the first time, PHS offers special guests an exclusive view of the creation of the Philadelphia Flower Show prior to the official opening. All Pre-Show Sneak Peek packages come with one Flower Show ticket to be used during regular show hours. Guests must be at least 16 years of age to participate. Pre-Show Sneak Peek is available Monday, February 25 -Thursday, February 28, 2013 between the hours of 2- 6 pm. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

DIY at the Flower Show. Check out the Flower Show’s new Make & Take Room, the perfect place to get crafty. In 2013 you’re invited to take home a piece of “Brilliant!” handiwork, such as a fabulous fascinator, fashionable floral wristlet, or magic wand. All the supplies you can imagine will be provided, and a DIY expert will be on-hand to help you design your creation. Looking for early inspiration? Check out the PHS Pinterest board on fascinators. Click here to learn more and gain access inside the all-new Make & Take Room. Please note, a Flower Show ticket is required for entry.

Back by Popular Demand: Flower Show Theme Nights!

LGBT Party – Sponsored by G Philly Sunday, March 3, 4 – 6 pm. PHS and G Philly invite members and friends of the LGBT Community for an afternoon of creative British-inspired cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Mingle with friends before taking in the sights and scents of the world’s most celebrated indoor Flower Show.

Wedding Wednesday – Sponsored by Philadelphia Wedding Magazine and Simply Naked Wine. Wednesday, March 6, 6 – 8 pm PHS and Philadelphia Wedding Magazine invite brides-to-be for an evening of royal treatment at “Wedding Wednesday.” Bring your bridesmaids and get advice (and take-aways!) from more than 50 local experts on fashion, music, catering, honeymoon planning, and much more. Meet celebrated wedding photographers and learn dazzling decor ideas while sampling creative British-inspired cocktails and hors d’oeuvres with your friends and family.

Girls Night Out – Presented by Philadelphia Style Magazine and Macy’s Center City. Thursday, March 7, 6 – 8 pm. Enjoy a special evening tailored just for the ladies, featuring exclusive food samplings, health & beauty tutorials, shopping with Philadelphia’s most coveted retailers, raffle prizes, takeaways and more!

Click here to learn more and purchase your Theme Night ticket package.

Arrive in Style with Amtrak’s PA Trips by Train and save! (for Pennsylvania riders only)

PA Trips by Train is reinventing the road trip! Get away on Amtrak’s Keystone Service® line for a day, night or weekend. When you book a Trip by Train, you’ll enjoy one of the most relaxing ways to travel – all while saving money along the way. Visit PaTripsbyTrain.com to learn more about the special Flower Show package.

Buy one Amtrak Ticket, get one 40% off
Take 50% off Amtrak Ticket for Kids ages 2 through 15
Free transportation via SEPTA to Suburban Station

Hope to see you there!

LIfe, Photography

My Valentines Week and Link Up

February 14, 2013 superexhausted 7 Comments

My valentines week.. pictures of of the last week

Snow storm from my shop Babypop superhero cape
From Toy Fair 2013..Madame Alexander Dolls

My boy at the science fair, he got in to the finals judging. It was on fracting Marcellus shale.

I made 9 loaves of Bread in a bag for Ash Wednesday at church. The Recipe for easy Bread in a Bag.

I made a valentines box .. See the post how to make Valentines Mod Podge trunk and giveaway

What has your week been like?

Add Your Valentines Related Post!

Crafting, Giveaways, Product Reviews

Valentines Keepsake Trunk and AC Moore Giveaway

February 11, 2013 superexhausted 13 Comments

Wooden Trunk covered using scrapbook paper and Mod Podge. This idea was given to me by AC Moore. The asked me to make a wooden trunk using the directions AC Moore provided. It has been years since I worked with Mod Podge and AC Moore had everything I need to make the task fun. I loved the idea of the trunk and the more I read the instructions I could not wait to try it. The inside had little cards decoupage inside.

The idea of this craft was from AC Moores designer Robin Beam.. Click here for Robins instructions Valentines Keepsake Trunk. Note: (the trunk size listed is a M the patterns and sku is for a small trunk) . I made the medium size which was larger so I adjust the templates. Robins Templates where for the small trunk.

Robin @ AC Moore did her trunk with different paper than I did. I choose 7 sheets of 12×12 scrapbooking paper open stock. (The apparel designers in me loved all the prints). But the instructions are the same.

Remove hardwear, I painted the inside and outside corners/edges.
I cut the templates, cut the scrapbook paper to size
Follow instructions added the mod podge, place paper, and smoothed out all the bubbles.
The tip Robin said about sanding the edges, the excess paper will just sand away.. seriously really rocks takes the trunk from a simple project to a quality piece. Make sure to remove all the dust from sanding, before applying next coat…..
Be sure to read AC Moores full instructions.. Valentines Keepsake Trunk

By the time I finished I coated the Trunk with 5 different coats of Mod Podge .. I really love doing this project. I loke the medium size box it allows me to put a full 8 1/2″ X 11 Paper in it flat. My daughter keeps eyeing the box up.

Ac Moore want you to create so they are providing a 50% coupon for this week to all my readers. AC Moore Coupon 2/10-2/16

Also Ac Moore wants one of my readers to create something so they are Giving away $20 gift certificate to one of my readers. Ends 2/24. US residents Only Please use the rafflecopter form.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Ac Moore provided a Gift Certificate for me to purchase the supplies. The opinions in this post are all mine own.

Cooking

Skinny Fake Fry Mushrooms and Meal Plan Monday

February 11, 2013 superexhausted

Meal Plan Monday and Skinny Fake Fry Mushrooms. I love mushrooms and anything fried. By my waist could stand to not eat the grease. so I can up with a skinny fried (baked) mushrooms. The not as golden or pretty as fried.. But my husband said I did good and I can defiantly make the skinny Mushrooms.

Skinny Fake Fried Mushrooms

1 pound of White Button Mushrooms
1 egg
½ cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons of pepper (you can use less, but yummy)
4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan
1 tea spoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1/8 cup Hot sauce

Preheat oven to 425
Mix flour will all dry ingredients
Crack and beat raw egg
Clean mushroom with paper towel (don’t wash with water), trim bottom of stems leaving attached
Dip mushroom in egg wash (if you want hot sauce – dip in hot sauce then egg)
Dredge in flour mixture
Place on baking tray
Cook for 15-20 minutes
Check increasing heat to 450 watch careful to make golden brown
Remove and eat ( you can dip ranch or blue cheese)

Easy Print recipe for the Skinny Fake Fried Mushrooms

Meal Plan Monday This weeks meals:

Monday: Sausage and Onions over egg noddles

Tuesday : Pizza – I will be at toy Fair .. the husband is on his own

Wednesday : Ash Wednesday Meager meal at church ( I am baking 6-10 loaves of bread using this bread in a bag method) Guess what? I am doing all day Wednesday

Thursday: Valentines Pick Shrimp and Scallops over pasta, skinny mushrooms

Friday- tilapia fish with rice and veggies (I will head to the market and see what is up)

What are you planning? I want to hear it it great getting ideas.

Have a Great Week.

I am linking this post up to I am a Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday Link Up

Parenting, Product Reviews

Saving our Teeth – LISTERINE 21 day challenge Part 1

February 5, 2013 superexhausted 1 Comment

LISTERINE^® 21 Day Challenge We are signed up. Are you ? Use LISTERINE products for the next 21 days and see the difference in your mouth. Oral care is always a challenge in my house. Having 2 kids I am constantly nagging to brush there teeth before school and at bed time. Everyone in my household is faced with different challenges when it comes to dental health.

My daughter is easier I think it is because she is 8 and loosing her teeth. She cant wait to loose a tooth and have the tooth fairy to come. I always tell her you have to take care of your new teeth .. she seems to go for it.

My son age 11 he is more challenging he fights me due to lack of time. I remind min often to clean his teeth. The flavor of tooth paste was a major issue since he did not like the flavor of minted products. He is really excited to take party in the challenge.

My husband has been blessed with good genetics in his teeth. At one point there was a gap in his professional dental care.. I expected the dentist to say he need a ton of work. The dentist gave him a all clear.. I even followed up and he said not he is good. Very frustrating, since brushing and floss is so important.. he does not spend the time as I do on dental health.

My dental health, I come from family of oral health major issues. I had a root canal the same week I had a c section. I suffer from bleeding gums and serious tartar. I do brush regularly, and should floss more. Since I am also a type 2 diabetic oral care is important because the tartar can effect your sugar numbers.

The largest Dental challenge in our home is.. Due to job loss we don’t go to the dentist as much as we should. My children have an appointment at the end of the month, so I am excited to see how much the LISTERINE^® 21 Day Challenge improves their check up.

Did you know brushing alone misses 75% of your mouth? That’s right—and believe it or not, even if you brush twice a day, you’re likely missing a majority of your mouth, leaving plenty of room for germs to grow.

By using a LISTERINE^® Antiseptic mouthwash twice a day for 30 seconds, you can clean virtually 100 percent of your mouth. In fact, you can get:

Up to 5 times healthier gums in 2 weeks
Up to 9 times healthier gums in 4 weeks*

That’s not just lip service, either! The makers of LISTERINE^® know that users will feel a difference—or their money back**.

Participating in this challenge offers the added benefit of joining the makers of LISTERINE^®ULTRACLEAN^®in helping Oral Health America impact the lives of children nationwide this year through the Smiles Across America^® program. Shockingly, oral disease is now the most chronic childhood illness in the U.S.[1] It impacts kids of all backgrounds, but especially the millions who are unable to afford, or otherwise get access to, regular professional care.

Want to join me in the 21 day head over to Listerine Facebook page and sign up for the LISTERINE 21day Challenge

For every person who signs up for the challenge, the LISTERINE^® Brand will make a contribution to help Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America^® program toward their goal of connecting 210,000 children with needed oral health services in 2013***.

Disclosure: “I received products from Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. and The Motherhood as part of my participation in the LISTERINE^® 21 Day Challenge. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.”

Cooking

Menu Planning Monday Feb 4-10 and Frozen Mirepoix

February 4, 2013 superexhausted 13 Comments

How to Freeze Mirepoix I froze my Mirepoix (onions, carrots and celery) so I have my starter for the week. I am excited to use it. I made enough for 4 uses. My fish last week turned out amazing.. cant wait to share the post in a few days.

Here is how I did the Ready to use frozen Mirepoix.

6 onions
2 lb of carrots
1 head of celery
salt
2 tbls oil or butter

Dice Onions and start saute in large pot with oil/salt on low
while onions are cooking peel carrots and dice ( I prefer a whole carrot to mini ready to eat carrots) add to onions
Then clean celery dice and add to carrot onion mixture. salt
Cook stiring till carrot are tender (not mushy)
Remove from pot in large pot to large bowl allow to cool.
Place cooled Mirepoix 7-8 cups in a gallon freezer zip lock (you can use quart size bags -2 cups per Bag)(I was out of quart and prefer to use less plastic)
Place on a large cookie sheet, laying bag flat, Using back of knife press into bags to create separate sections.
Freeze.. checking to make sure sections stay separated during freezing process.
Now ready to use simple break off a sections and place in pan for cooking. should speed up your cooking time.

What to use MirePoix for: stews, soups, casserole, any thing where you want a great flavor base with out the time.

Easy to print frozen Mirepoix

My menu plan for the week

Monday: Chicken fingers and white cream sauce pasta

Tues: Leftover Superbowl my award winning Chili

Wednesday: Lemon chicken noodle soup using my Mirepoix

Thurs: Pork Chops with orange glaze

Friday: Pizza

Saturday: something with beef..

Have a Great Week.

I am linking this post up to Organizing Junkie Menu Plan Monday

So I am off to make Superhero Princess Capes. If you need one for a party they Start at $17.00 Check My store out Made in the USA by me!

Cooking

Celeb Chef George Duran’s Chance meeting

February 3, 2013 superexhausted

2 years ago I had the pleasure of meeting celebrity Chef George Duran at the Blissdom Blogging conference. He was super nice. He looks just like this guy “Denis” my husband use to work with and I even showed him a picture Denis. I know true geek but they do look similar, he laughed and took a picture with me. I have always loved his cooking. I still use his method of of broiling the top of my meat loaf for 10 minutes to seal in the goodness before lowering the heat for the remaining cooking time.

So I was really excited to hear that George Duran is working with Imusa on there with go-to Hispanic cookware and appliance line, IMUSA (available in Target) He is doing a segment on the HSN segment Tomorrow Monday the 4th at 9am of you want to watch here is the link to the HSN Live show

Here is a his recipe for:

George Duran’s Fiery Tomato-Basil Mac & Cheese courtesy of IMUSA:

Ingredients:

1 lb. macaroni (elbow)

Kosher Salt

2 14.5 oz. cans diced tomatoes

1 cup packed fresh basil, chopped

1 stick butter

½ cup flour

5 cups whole milk

4 cups (16 oz) sharp cheddar, grated

For Topping

1 ½ cup Italian Style breadcrumbs

4 Tablespoons butter, melted

1 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Basil leaves for garnish

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Preparation:

Bring 6 quarts of water to a rolling boil and add salt to taste. Then, add macaroni and stir gently allowing it boil for about 7 minutes until “al dente”. Remove from heat and drain well and place in an extra large bowl. Add both cans of diced tomatoes and chopped basil and mix with a rubber spatula. Set aside. For béchamel sauce start by making a roux in a medium stock pot. Melt butter under medium heat and whisk in flour. Keep whisking for under medium heat until roux is browned, about 5-6 minutes. Add 2 tsp. salt. Gently whisk in the milk until properly combined. Constantly whisk the sauce until it thickens and begins to simmer, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and add 4 cups of cheddar. Gently mix it with a rubber spatula until completely melted. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni and pour into a caldero (for best results use an IMUSA Evolution Nonstick Caldero). Make topping by combining all of the ingredients and spread it evenly on top of mac and cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes until top is golden brown. Serve and garnish with basil.

What are you cooking tonight?

This is my super life uncensored