Tasty Tuesday: Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Pizza is probably our main go to meal when I don't really feel like cooking. And while, yes, on occasion we do order out, more often times than not, it's homemade. There's just so many different options when it comes to toppings. But recently I've been experimenting with different crusts too. And what's more experimental than a cauliflower pizza crust?! (You should probably know that it's delicious too.)

Cauliflower Crust topped with pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, cubanelle pepper rings, sliced onion & sliced Roma tomatoes.

•1 head cauliflower

•1/4C. Parmesan cheese

•1/3C. shredded mozzarella cheese

•1/4C. flour

•1 egg

•garlic powder

•oregano, basil &/or Italian seasoning (dried)

•salt & black pepper

 •desired pizza toppings

- Start by cutting the florets from the head of cauliflower & rinsing under water. 

- Working in batches, pulse the cauliflower in a food processor until it resembles a snow-like consistency. 

- Place in a medium sized microwave safe bowl, cover with a kitchen towel & cook for 4-5 min. 

- Invert cauliflower onto the kitchen towel & allow it to cool 10-15 min. 

- When the cauliflower has cooled, gather it up in the towel & wring as much water out of it as you can. If it's too hot, lay it out to cool for an additional 5-10 min. 

- Return the cauliflower to the bowl you cooked it in & add the cheeses, flour, egg & desired seasonings. (I go heavy on the garlic, but that's because I love garlic crusts.)

- Preheat the oven to 450º before spreading the crust evenly on a lightly greased pizza pan. 

- Bake the crust 8-10 min. or until it's just beginning to brown. 

- Remove from the oven, add desired sauce & toppings & bake for another 5-7 min.

- Allow to cool slightly before slicing. 

Cauliflower Pizza Crust!

Enjoy!

Messy Monday: 5 Ways to Stay Organized this Summer

After Friday we are officially on summer vacation! And I am so not ready. I know you might be wondering why anyone would need to get ready  & be organized for summer. But the answer is simple. Summer is a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of season. And quite frankly, you don't want to be left behind in your underwear. (Unless you don't have air conditioning, then it's a viable option.)

Swap Seasons - If you're anything like me, you've been procrastinating in putting your winter wardrobe away. Of course you already have your summer wardrobe out all over the place. So first things first - out with the old & in with the new.

Flip Flop Haven - Flip flops are a go to staple in my house. Which means that there's always a million here, there & everywhere. Just grab a bucket, basket or whatever else you have on hand, park it near an entryway & let everyone know to toss their flip flops in. You may have to dig a bit to find a pair, but it's better than digging under the bed!

Be Ready to Eat - There's always cookouts & picnics galore during the summer months. So be prepared to BYOU (bring your own utensils), even if it's your won cookout. Keep a basket stocked in the kitchen with plates, napkins & plasticware for when you need them for dinner under the stars. Or PB&J in the park. (Po-tate-oh, Po-tawt-oh.)

Bag It Up! - Bags, bags & more bags! There's snack bags (for those last minute picnics), activity bags (for those last minute road trips) & necessity bags (for everything else). Keeping everything in bags makes it easy to just grab & go. 

Stock Up - There is nothing worse than running out of bug spray, sunscreen or allergy medicine when you need it the most. So be sure to stock up on any necessities early in the season. Just keep an eye on your summer stockpile so you're not caught looking like a lobster with tissues & dryer sheets tucked in everywhere. 

Simple Sunday: Family History Notes

This book was penned by a family member under an assumed name & is based on a true story. I'm not too sure what the story is because I've only read one section. The section that has details of my family history. Now I'm determined to find out more about the Senczyszyn (Sensheshin) & Wytiw (Witeof) history. Which may be difficult not knowing German or Polish & only a bit of Ukrainian (which is why I have so few notes).

Gutsy Chewy Supplements

**Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC. or the manufacturer of the product.

My hubs is forever having stomach issues from the combination of stress at work, skipping meals & eating like total crap when he does get the chance to eat. It seems like just about every day he comes home from work & comments about his stomach bothering him. So when I came across Gutsy Chewy, I knew he was the perfect candidate to try it! Especially since all he had to do was chew it for as long as he could before swallowing.

Available in Citrus & Wildberry flavors.

Gutsy Chewy Supplements were invented by a gastroenterologist & dentist, Dr. Doug Haghighi, making them the perfect solution to queasiness. They contain apple cider vinegar, licorice extract, papaya extract and xylitol to help support your gut and oral health along with calcium and magnesium. They are also all-natural, gluten free, lactose free & vegan friendly. 

After a few days, I asked the hubs if he was taking Gutsy Chewy. Especially since he hadn't come home complaining about his stomach bothering him. He said he was, which was a shock because he's usually so bad about taking any medicines or vitamins I try to give him. But he said that they worked pretty fast & the amount of time varied by how uneasy his stomach was being (usually within a few min., but on occasion up to 10 min.) 

I know they look humongous in the picture, but they're as big as the bottle. Perfect for breaking into half if need be & still getting enough.

I personally haven't had the need arise to take them yet (knock on wood), but I do carry a bottle in my purse. Just in case, ya know. But I do have to say how much I like that you can easily half a Gutsy Chewy for when you don't necessarily need the whole thing. They're big enough that you can just snap it on the perforation. After all, you don't want to waste something that works so well! 

Prices range from $15.99-$79.99 plush shipping. But they do currently have a 3-for-2 Summer Special going on right now! So if you are prone to queasiness after enjoying your favorite foods that don't like you back, you should definitely check out Gutsy Chewy for yourself. 

Keep up with the latest from Gutsy Chewy on Facebook, Twitter & YouTube.

*Disclaimer:

Always check with your physician before starting any supplement product and specifically Gutsy Products. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any

disease. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have a medical condition. This product contains papaya and should not be used by people with a latex allergy. Keep out of reach of children.

  

Moms Meet is an online resource that empowers moms to come together in an informal setting and talk about the latest on raising healthy families and living green. Moms Meet offers exciting opportunities for Mom Ambassadors and their groups to sample the latest healthy, green products. Sign up today!

Always check with your physician before starting any supplement product and specifically Gutsy Products. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you are pregnant, nursing, taking any medication or have a medical condition. This product contains papaya and should not be used by people with a latex allergy. Keep out of reach of children. - See more at: http://www.greenmomsmeet.com/2014/03/for-bloggers-only-gutsy-chewy-supplements/#sthash.jHIxbalr.dpuf

gastroenterologist

These supplements were invented by gastroenterologist and dentist, Dr. Doug Haghighi, and contain the perfect balance of apple cider vinegar, licorice extract, papaya extract and xylitol to help support your gut and oral health along with calcium and magnesium. Gutsy Chewy supplements are all-natural, free of gluten and lactose, vegan friendly and made in the U.S.A., making them a safe choice. - See more at: http://www.greenmomsmeet.com/2014/03/for-bloggers-only-gutsy-chewy-supplements/#sthash.jHIxbalr.dpuf

These supplements were invented by gastroenterologist and dentist, Dr. Doug Haghighi, and contain the perfect balance of apple cider vinegar, licorice extract, papaya extract and xylitol to help support your gut and oral health along with calcium and magnesium. Gutsy Chewy supplements are all-natural, free of gluten and lactose, vegan friendly and made in the U.S.A., making them a safe choice. - See more at: http://www.greenmomsmeet.com/2014/03/for-bloggers-only-gutsy-chewy-supplements/#sthash.jHIxbalr.dpuf

These supplements were invented by gastroenterologist and dentist, Dr. Doug Haghighi, and contain the perfect balance of apple cider vinegar, licorice extract, papaya extract and xylitol to help support your gut and oral health along with calcium and magnesium. Gutsy Chewy supplements are all-natural, free of gluten and lactose, vegan friendly and made in the U.S.A., making them a safe choice. - See more at: http://www.greenmomsmeet.com/2014/03/for-bloggers-only-gutsy-chewy-supplements/#sthash.jHIxbalr.dpuf

These supplements were invented by gastroenterologist and dentist, Dr. Doug Haghighi, and contain the perfect balance of apple cider vinegar, licorice extract, papaya extract and xylitol to help support your gut and oral health along with calcium and magnesium. Gutsy Chewy supplements are all-natural, free of gluten and lactose, vegan friendly and made in the U.S.A., making them a safe choice. - See more at: http://www.greenmomsmeet.com/2014/03/for-bloggers-only-gutsy-chewy-supplements/#sthash.jHIxbalr.dpuf

Snacktastic Saturday: Caramel Crescent Sundae

Whenever I make Chinese food, the hubs always insists on having Chinese donuts for dessert. I've seen them being made before & they are beyond easy, not to mention delicious (just refrigerated biscuit dough fried until lightly golden & tossed in granulated sugar). But when I was casually wandering down the refrigerated aisle at my local grocery store, I came across butter flavored crescent rolls...with an insane markdown! Technically the hubs still got his Chinese donuts, just on a whole new level of awesomeness. 

•butter flavored crescent rolls

•granulated sugar

•vanilla ice cream

•caramel sauce

•cinnamon sugar

•oil for frying

- Using a deep fryer or even just a pot filled with an inch or two of oil, fry the crescent rolls until golden brown. (I kept mine whole because I'm a sucker for buttery dough, but for the hubs & kids I tore the dough into pieces before frying.)

- While the dough is still fairly fresh from the oil, roll in granulated sugar to coat. 

- Repeat process with remaining crescent rolls. 

- To serve, top a crescent roll with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce & a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar. 

Enjoy!

Fun Friday: Rosette Accent Pillow

In my mind I have ideas for a million & one accent pillows. Unfortunately, I don't have a sewing machine. Therefore, the meticulousness of some of them have me giving up before I even start. But since I've been yearning to make a pillow for a while now, I decided I would make a simple square pillow with a bit of ruffles across one corner for either the living room or my bedroom. How on earth I ended up with a rectangular shaped roll of a pillow with rosettes in one corner is beyond me. But you know what, I kinda like it! 

•1 yard of desired fabric
•coordinating shade of thread
•small roll of quilt batting
•felt circles
•hot glue

- Start by cutting the fabric to fit around the roll of quilt batting.
- Stitch the underside together lengthwise, leaving the ends open.
- Flip the fabric right side out & insert the roll of batting, making sure to center it along the way. You should have a good couple inches on each end.
- To stitch the ends, fold them like you're wrapping a present, only use thread instead of tape of course. You can go on the underside to keep the thread from being visible. 
- Next, the rosettes! From the leftover fabric, cut long strips 1-2in. wide. I cut mine 2in. & then folded them to reach 1/2in, they were much easier for me to make the rosettes this way. Of course I also followed the instructions for DIY Fabric Rosettes from The Happier Homemaker.  
- Using hot glue, glue the rosettes onto felt circles (you can even do this while you're making them to help save your fingertips from getting burnt).
- Now simply glue the rosettes with felt bottoms wherever your heart desires. As long as it's on your pillow of course.

Think It Thursday: Chasing Your Dreams

I'm guilty of dreaming. Both complete fantasy (I highly doubt I'm ever going to get the chance to hang out with Channing Tatum, star in an episode of Grey's Anatomy or bake French pastries with Blake Lively) & slightly more realistic (I just might start my own business, get the body I want & buy a few pairs of Louboutin's). Of course there's a million reasons as to why my fantasy dreams would never come true (anti-stalking laws for starters), but what's stopping my realistic dreams from coming true? Nothing. 

Photo credit: Learn It Live Blog

With a lot of hard work, precise planning & ambition, realistic dreams could turn into reality. But it's not going to happen overnight & it's not going to present itself to you in a neat little package. You have to make it happen. You have to never give up. You have to chase your dreams.

 

 

ReSqueeze & a Giveaway!

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from ReSqueeze & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

My kids are huge fans of any food that comes in a squeezable pouch. (Especially applesauces & yogurts!) And i have to say that they're perfect for school lunches & snacks on the go. But I've always thought it would be great, if they could enjoy some homemade yogurt or even a smoothie the same way.

ReSqueeze is perfect for making those healthier treats at home & enjoying them wherever you want. I can't even begin to express my utter love for these reusable pouches. They've gotten us through soft food diets (doctor's orders), car rides, school lunches, tornado watches in the basement, what seems like never ending sicknesses & numerous snack times. Now I'm to the point where I wonder how I ever got by without them! Actually, I know how. I was forever cringing at ingredients & prices of all the things my kids wanted, just because they came in a pouch. Occasionally ,but usually also reluctantly, I obliged (which makes me cringe again).

But what's so great about ReSqueeze is how it suits just about everybody. From mealtimes for babies, snacks for toddlers, as part of school lunches & as a healthy alternative for busy moms on the go. We've had smoothies, applesauce & other pureed fruits (mango is my fave!), homemade yogurt & even the occasional milkshake in our ReSqueeze pouches. And yes, they are freezable. I like to keep a couple in the freezer for my daughters lunch. That way it doubles as an ice pack & is thawed to perfection by the time she gets to eat. 

Hayden & Paige, enjoying a smoothie on the porch swing.

ReSqueeze was created by Laura & Brandon Hightower, as a solution to making mealtimes easier (& cleaner) for their young son. Which of course means that it was realistically (& thoughtfully) designed. The edges are rounded to prevent any poking or scratching. The fill opening is extra wide so you can very easily pour or spoon your desired foods inside. Colorful & fun graphics are perfect for young children (& being able to find them in my black hole of a bag). There's even a place to label & date the contents, which can easily be done with a dry erase marker. 

Now I know you're wondering how much of a pain they are to clean! Well, they're not. My 8 year old helps with dishes sometimes & even she has no problems cleaning ReSqueeze. They're easy to wash in warm soapy water (especially if you still happen to have a bottle brush - for when your kids accidentally leave their lunch bags at school), or even the top rack of your dishwasher. It really doesn't get any easier than that!

Made from durable BPA & Phthalate free plastic, ReSqueeze boasts a sturdy double zip closure & can hold up to 6oz. And yes, the double zip closure has passed the quality control test administered by all three of my kids (ages 8, 4 & 2). Which is a lot more than I can say for some of those store bought pouches filled with applesauce. Of course my initial fear was that since they are reusable, I was sure my kids would throw the caps away since that's what they were used to. I'm happy to report that they haven't, but even if they did, replacement caps are only $0.25 a piece. (Set of 4 ReSqueeze pouches retails for $14.99, set of 8 retails for $24.99.)

Can't wait to try ReSqueeze?

One lucky winner will receive a 4 pack of ReSqueeze Reusable Pouches!  

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Monday 6/2/14. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday 6/2/14. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to ReSqueeze for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. Smith and Blessings is not responsible for prize shipment.

*Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. 

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Keep up with the latest from ReSqueeze on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest.

  

PicturesOnGold.com Giveaway Winner!

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 Our winner has been chosen, congrats to Linda B.! 

Work It Wednesday: Be Sun Smart With These 5 Tips!

With warm weather officially here, my family has been spending time outdoors as much as possible. But even though the sun may not always be blazing down on us, that doesn't mean that precautionary measures shouldn't be taken. And that goes for us parents too.

•First things first, be sure to check the UV Index for your area & try to avoid the outdoors when it's at it's highest. (Generally between 10AM-2PM.)

•Don't forget the sunscreen! We never let our kids go out with anything less than an SPF50, so why should we go out with anything less than an SPF30? Just be sure to choose a waterproof formula because chances are that if we're outside, we're working up a sweat! (Don't forget to reapply as needed too.)

•Hat's on! Sure a baseball cap will help block some of the rays from your face, but what about your ears & neck? If you have a bucket hat or one with a wide brim, wear that instead. 

•Grab those shades! I almost always wear sunglasses when I'm outside. If not, I'd be squinting like crazy to block out the glare. 

•Protect your pucker & use a lip balm with added SPF. I know this is something that most people never think of, I was one of them myself. Until the day I got sunburnt on my lips. Um...ouch! Now I make it a point to always wear it when I go out during the day whether it's summertime or not. 

Tasty Tuesday: Roasted Garlic Shrimp

Since I've been making a conscious effort to eat better, the strangest thing has happened. I have been wanting seafood. For the record, I do eat a bit of seafood (cod, salmon, shrimp, scallops, tuna & crab cakes - not plain crab). But for as little as I eat, I prepare it myself even less. So for me to want shrimp, buy it, prepare it & plan to make it all again as soon as I go grocery shopping...what is going on here?! Well, whatever it is, it can stick around because this Roasted Garlic Shrimp is amazingly delicious!

*Please remember to use desired amounts.

•medium shrimp, peeled & deveined

•fresh garlic, minced

•paprika

•cayenne pepper

•sea salt

•coarse black pepper

•olive oil

•fresh lemon, halved

•aluminum foil

- In a larger bowl, combine paprika, cayenne pepper, sea salt & coarse black pepper. 

- Add minced garlic (don't skimp on this key ingredient), juice from at least half a lemon, olive oil (I went pretty heavy on this because I wanted a "sauce" to blend with my whole grain & wild rice and roasted asparagus - but the amount is completely up to you) & shrimp. 

- Thoroughly mix until shrimp is evenly coated.

- Cover & allow to marinate in the refrigerator at least 20-25 min. 

- Preheat oven to 450º & line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. 

- If you went light on the olive oil in your marinade, you will need to spread a bit on your aluminum foil to help prevent the shrimp from sticking. 

- Roast the shrimp along with any extra marinade in the oven for 5-7 min. or until it turns pink. Just be sure to not overcook it. 
- Serve with lemon wedges.

Enjoy! 

Motivating Monday: Zig Ziglar Quote

Simple Sunday: Happy Mother's Day

Flowers for mom!

Snacktastic Saturday: Black Bean Brownies

I have been trying to get my oldest to eat more vegetables for what seems like an eternity. So I've resorted to what any other mom would do, I sneak them in in the most unlikely places.

You should probably know that this recipe works on husbands too.  

•1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
•3Tbsp. canola oil
•3 eggs
•1/3C. (heaping) cocoa powder
•3/4C. brown sugar
•1tsp. vanilla
•1/2tsp. baking powder
•1/8tsp. salt
•1-4tsp. instant coffee, if desired (I prefer a mocha flavor.)
•3/4-1C. mini chocolate chips
•nonstick cooking spray

-Spray a 9x9 or 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
-Combine all ingredients except the mini chocolate chips in a food processor. 
-Pulse until ingredients are thoroughly blended. 
-If you are adding the instant coffee, start by adding 1tsp. & then adjust according to taste after pulsing again to combine. 
-Before pouring batter into prepared pan, stir in at least half of the mini chocolate chips to the mixture. 
-Before baking, top the batter with the remaining mini chocolate chips. 
-Bake at 350º for roughly 22-28 min. 
-Allow to cool for at least 15 min. before slicing.

Enjoy!

Fun Friday: DIY Seed Starter Containers

When it comes to planting a garden, I prefer to start them indoors from seeds. Sure it's a lot more work than buying some plants & plopping them in the ground, but it's definitely more rewarding to start from seeds. 

One of the dilemmas I'm constantly facing, is where to keep them. I've tried the big flats, but those have to be kept outside - where the squirrel ninjas live. So inside it is, but I'm limited on where I can keep them because of the kids. Basically my only option is a very long, but very thin, shelf under an equally long kitchen window. Which means that my creativity had to kick into high gear to find a solution that would work. 

I made the DIY Cookie Basket {made from a paper plate!} that I've seen on facebook a million times, to hold two sections from a cardboard egg carton. With some waxed paper & aluminum foil to help contain the water. The best part though is that they fit perfectly on my shelf! Now if only the shelf was longer...

NEELY Music Giveaway Winners!

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Our winners have been notified, congratulations to you both! 

Think It Thursday: Kindergarten or Preschool?

It happened. Damien has been registered for kindergarten. But I have to admit that I'm more indecisive as ever.

The cut-off is September 30th, all children need to be 5 by then. Damien turns 5 September 17th. He's currently in the IEP class for some speech issues, but his teacher has said that academically, he's ready. But she also said that there's a maturity issue for boys & she even held her own son back a year before starting kindergarten. So Damien could either go to kindergarten, or have another year of preschool. 

I don't want to decide now, I actually have until about 2 weeks before the start of the new school year. My fear is that if I hold him back like everyone suggests, that he'll get bored with the preschool lessons & focus on the "play" aspect more. But I don't want to push him if he's not entirely ready either.

Of course Damien is a completely different child at school than he is at home, so his maturity may not be an issue as far as schooling goes. After all, I do hate it when kids automatically get categorized (except for two year olds, they really can be terrible). 

What would you do if you were me? I'm open to any thoughts & suggestions. 

 

Work It Wednesday: A SAHM's Guide to Working Out

You know how it goes, you wake up, vowing to get that killer workout in. Next thing you know, it's 8:00 PM & you're exhausted. I know it sounds cliché, but working out can actually make you more energized. But yea, you're a SAHM so you would have the time when? Whenever you can is the answer. (Trust me, I know how it goes.)

My (current) daily workouts vary from 20 min. to 1 hr. But I break them down & get them done whenever I can. I also try to do the same things, but keep them completely different at the same time. (Makes total sense, I know.)

Photo credit: 30 Day Fitness Challenges

I'm pretty big on these 30 Day Fitness Challenges right now (my current is an Easy Squat Challenge). They don't have to be done all at once, so if you have to break them up, just keep track of how many you've done. I find myself doing them when I get 5-10 min. to watch TV or when I'm waiting for the school bus. 

View this photo on Instagram!

I have to say that I have quite the variety of workout DVD's & I try to do one most days. I decide which one to do, by figuring out how much time I realistically have. I try to get one in that's at least 30 min., but if I can tell I'll have to stop a million times, I go for a 10 min. one instead. 

So what else rounds out my daily workout? At least one youtube video of Dance Fitness with Jessica, crunches, push-ups, planking, wall sits, free weights to help build upper body & yoga. I know it seems like a lot & it feels like it when it takes me all day to do it, but when you take into account the amount of time actually spent, it's perfect. Add in the amount of time you spend chasing kids, cleaning the house multiple times a day (especially when it comes to vacuuming & mopping) & going up the same flight of steps a million times...who needs a gym?! You've got this working out thing covered! 
 

Tasty Tuesday: Vegetable Stuffed Crepes

Brinner (breakfast food for dinner) is pretty popular at my house. But I've been trying to eat healthier lately which means that fried eggs, fried potatoes, bacon & toast slathered in butter just won't do. 

•2 eggs

 •1C. all purpose flour

•1/2C. water

•1/2C. milk

•2Tbsp. melted butter or margarine

•1/4tsp. salt

•nonstick cooking spray

•scrambled eggs

•frozen chopped spinach, thoroughly thawed & squeezed dry of excess liquid

•vidalia onion, sliced

•baby portobello mushrooms, sliced

•olive oil

•shredded Swiss cheese

•tomatoes, diced

•Hollandaise sauce

•salt & pepper to taste

 

-In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs before adding flour, water, milk, butter or margarine & salt. Stir to thoroughly combine. (Mixture will be smooth.)

-In a medium (or large if you prefer) nonstick skillet, lightly spray nonstick cooking spray & heat over med.-high heat.

-Add crepe mixture 1/4C. at time. Quickly remove pan from the heat, slowly turn the pan in a circular motion so the mixture evenly coats the entire bottom. When you no longer see the mixture moving, replace pan over heat.

-After a couple minutes, slightly jerk the pan to see if the crepe moves, if so carefully flip it.

-Cook other side of crepe for 1-2 min. & remove from pan. Repeat process with remaining batter.

-In a nonstick skillet, saute onion in a turn of the pan of olive oil.

-When the onion begins to separate, add the sliced mushrooms & saute until just about done. 

-Add the spinach, stirring well to combine, until heated through. 

-To assemble the crepes, place scrambled eggs down the center & top with vegetable mixture. 

-Roll up & place seam side down on a plate. 

-Top with Hollandaise sauce, diced tomatoes, salt & pepper to taste. 

 

 Enjoy!

PicturesOnGold.com & a Giveaway!

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from PicturesOnGold.com & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

I seem to have more necklaces than any other kind of jewelry. But I've never had a necklace that was so perfect. And I've also never received so many compliments on a necklace before in my life! 

Every time I hear of a locket necklace, I immediately picture the kind I grew up with. They all seemed to have the generic front & you always had to cut your own pictures to fit. So of course I was blown away by the quality of the locket necklace I received from PicturesOnGold. So much so, that my eyes actually watered. (Seriously, they did.)

Aside from the locket itself, I loved how easy it was to build. Yep, that's right, I chose every detail of the locket myself!

To build your own locket, you must first decide on the locket itself. (I have the Build Your Own Sterling Silver 2-Picture Heart Locket) & then decide on what you'd like for the front. I went with a mother with three kids (how perfect!) from the selection of clipart available for Mother's Day. You can also leave it blank, add text or choose a monogram instead.

Next was the inside, which was only difficult because I was being indecisive on which photos to use. I started out with two that I wasn't really impressed with, but when I got to the end, I realized I could choose the pictures I really wanted & leave special instructions to have them placed how I wanted. And you have to admit, the color laser engraved pictures just pop! (Simple laser engraving or a paper photo option are also available, as well as leaving either side plain, adding text or adding a monogram.)

Now for the back of the locket. I kept mine very simple with text in a Script font (Block font also available) that went perfect with the clipart on the front. 

You can also choose the chain. I chose an 18in. Rolo style chain, for the simple fact that it stated that it was very durable. You should know that my two year old has thoroughly put it to the test & it has passed with flying colors! (Box & Singapore chains are also available in varying sizes.)

OK, so now for the special instructions that I mentioned earlier. If your picture isn't quite centered or slightly small, simply tell PicturesOnGold exactly how you'd like it & they'll perfect it for you. My pictures needed to be slightly altered in size & position and I also asked for faces only, which eliminates any background. I was semi-afraid that it wouldn't turn out as I had hoped, but it turned out better than I imagined!

Would you love to build your own Sterling Silver 2-Picture Heart Locket for someone special (including yourself)?

One lucky winner will get the chance! 

The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Thursday 5/22/14. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Thursday 5/22/14. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to PicturesOnGold.com for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. Smith and Blessings is not responsible for prize shipment. 

*Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

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You can also use the Promo Code: MOM2014 to save 10% on all purchases made until May 9th.

Keep up with the latest from PicturesOnGold on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest.

  

Musical Monday: NEELY & a Giveaway!

**Disclaimer: I have received products to try from NEELY & am simply sharing my personal opinion which may vary from yours. I was not compensated for this review.

When the hubs & I first met, our musical tastes were opposite to say the least. He was a country boy & I would rather head bang to screaming rock. Yep, little ol' me was a rocker chick. (Can you believe it?!) But fast forward over a decade, add three kids & our musical tastes have changed a bit. Of course he's still a country boy & I'm still a rocker, but we now have more appreciation for each others musical tastes. Except for the screaming rock, the hubs likes to actually hear words. 

Lately, we've both been jamming to NEELY, a husband & wife duo that breaks the genre barriers with their own mix of...well, whatever they feel like at the moment. 

Jeremy & Kaci Neely
Photo credit: ReverbNation

"Industry folk have tried to pigeon hole us as Rock, Pop-Rock, Christian and now Country. That's junk! We are NEELY!"

Actually, it's their latest single "Kiss My Grits" that has been playing practically nonstop in my house lately. The hubs loves it (of course), the kids love it & even I love it with it's catchy chorus & rebel attitude.

But I also love "Everything I Am". This song is downright intoxicating how it starts off with the guitar (forgive me if it's a specific kind of guitar - I'm not that musically inclined) & then Kaci subtly cuts in singing. 

But what sets Jeremy & Kaci Neely apart from just about every other recording artist out there, is how incredibly down to earth & independent they are! And I can tell you that I know this first hand after having a Q&A with Jeremy Neely himself!

How was it that you & your wife came to working together?

This is an interesting story. Kaci and I were married in 1996. At the time I performed more classic country in any venue I could find in the Salina, KS area (where we lived at the time). It wasn't until I started helping on a Church worship team that I even discovered that Kaci could sing. As I was preparing a few songs I was not confident when Kaci sat down beside me and began harmonizing. This was in 2001. By 2003 a friend and I wrote "Peace Be Still" and I gave Kaci a gentle nudge out front. The rest you can say, is history :)

Where do you find the inspiration for your songs?

All of the songs I've written thus far has some kind of personal, emotional connection. It isn't always our story but it's always something that either hits me deep or I relate to in some intimate way. For instance, I had problems with addictions. One day I hear this young lady speaking on her struggles with cutting and how her emotional\self esteem problems drove her addiction to self hurt. That hit pretty close to home and from that moment the song "I'm Alive" just flowed out of me. I could tell you an intimate story like that about every song I've written.

How do you set yourself apart from other musicians?

Honesty. I know that might sound like a simple answer but when you really begin to dig it is huge! In today's music industry not many artists are as good or better than their CD\recording. Even some of these YouTube sensations who make you think they are doing live videos of songs are really pre recording, mixing, auto tuning, mastering, etc before they play it back and lip sync to it. Everyone uses auto tune, it saves on studio time and on vocal wear and tear. However, some people take it over board and correct vocal pitch for artists that can't hear\control their pitch. We take this on step further, we mostly travel as an acoustic troupe so that people know that they are getting the real deal. This also allows us to share the stories\inspiration for the songs so our audience can connect not only with our music but with us. For us it is all about honesty and relationship. Which brings up another point: we are becoming more comfortable being who we are honestly. So many artists out there are trying to fit a genre and dress with the trends and sound like such and such to obtain fame and fortune. This is why you'll hear a ballad like "Complete", a rocker like "Move", and now our country rock (aka southern rock) single "Kiss My Grits". My playlist is not confined to one specific genre...it's not who I am, so why should the music that flows from me be? If it's great music, who cares?

How do you balance a working relationship while being married to each other?

From 1998 to 2010 I worked in the corporate world as a Network Engineer (fancy term for a computer geek). I can honestly say what Kaci and I have now is easier than "the old life". Now I'm with Kaci and our 4 daughters nearly 24/7. In the past I was separated from them 10+ hours a day and it was like our family was going in 6 different directions. To be far though, it was tough starting out full time in 2010. It's not just the adjustment of a new town every day and being away from home but finding your place\role in this thing. After four years we've all found those roles and when we tour across the country people are in awe of how efficiently we operate. To top it all off, each of us feel blessed that we get to spend so much time with the love of our life.

When are you coming to Canton, OH?!

Anytime! Most people have this perception that we are some kind of big time music group that is too big for their britches. The honest to goodness is: we are down to earth folks who are trying to make a living like everyone else. What you see on American Idol is not reality for 95% of artists out there making a living. We will actually come and play a concert in your living room! Yep, we do that. Hosts will get anywhere from 10 - 50 friends together who will each chip in anywhere from $10 - $20 a piece and we will do an intimate, story telling concert right in your home. Now granted, we mostly work through an organization called concertsinyourhome.com but there are times we work outside of that organization (a lot of communication and homework for safety reasons). Other than that we play coffee houses, listening room, Churches...anywhere we can take our family :)

Kaci & Jeremy Neely
Photo credit: ReverbNation

See, down to earth REAL people, making REAL music! Which, honestly, makes NEELY that much better! (I'm a total fan, can you tell?)

 
One lucky winner will receive a Kiss My Grits T-Shirt & CD pack (includes the Kiss My Grits CD, Everything I Am CD, and Colorblind - an acoustic CD). 

And a second lucky winner will receive a CD pack.


The giveaway will conclude on at 12:00 a.m. est on Tuesday 5/13/14. Winners will be announced via rafflecopter & in a separate blog post which will be published no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday 5/13/14. Winners will also be notified via email & announced on the Smith and Blessings facebook page. Winners will have 48 hours to submit shipping information, which will then be passed on to Neely Music for distribution of product. If 48 hours has lapsed, a new winner will be picked & then will also have 48 hours to submit their information. Smith and Blessings is not responsible for prize shipment.
*Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also be sure to check out NEELY's online store for CD's, clothing & more.

Keep up with the latest from NEELY on Facebook & Twitter.