Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Sweeten up Valentine’s Day this year with MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix and HOT TAMALES® Cinnamon candy

Sweeten up Valentine’s Day this year with MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix and HOT TAMALES® Cinnamon candy.

 I have to admit one of my favorite candies is HOT TAMALES®. I was super excite to find a recipe using HOT TAMALES®. Can't wait to make them for Valentines Day.


HOT TAMALES® Snickerdoodles
Servings: 2 dozen

INGREDIENTS:


·         1/2 cup (4 oz) HOT TAMALES® Candies, coarsely chopped*
·         1/4 cup (2 oz) salted margarine, softened
·         1/4 cup (2 oz) shortening (I use Spectrum Organic)
·         3/4 cups (5.6 oz) granulated sugar
·         1 egg
·         1 1/2 cups (6.75 oz) all-purpose flour
·         1 teaspoon cream of tartar
·         1/2 teaspoon baking soda
·         pinch of salt (increase to 1/4 tsp if using unsalted margarine)
·         4 teaspoons granulated sugar
·         4 teaspoons ground cinnamon


*The candy is quite sticky so the best way to chop it is with a lightly oiled knife. 

INSTRUCTIONS:
1.       Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2.       Using an electric mixer, cream together the margarine, shortening and ¾ cups sugar. 
Add the egg and beat until thoroughly combined.
3.       In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients 
(except the candy) into the creamed mixture and mix until just combined. Add the chopped 
candy and mix until the candy is evenly distributed, a few minutes more.
4.       Refrigerate the dough for at least 15 minutes (this makes it easier to handle).
5.       Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
6.       Combine the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Form dough into balls 
the size of small walnuts (I use a tablespoon cookie scoop). Roll the balls of cookie dough 
in the cinnamon sugar.
7.       Place the cookies two inches apart on the cookie sheets. Bake for 8 minutes, 
rotating the cookie sheets in the oven at the halfway point. They are done when they
 look puffed in the middle and slightly brown at the edges 
(the tops of the cookies will form cracks). Be careful not to overcook.
8.       Remove cookie sheet from the oven and let cookies sit on it for another minute 
or so before removing to cooling rack; cookies will flatten out as they cool.
9.       These cookies are best served warm, straight out of the oven, but they 
can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.


 Both candies come in a 5 oz box, and are the perfect addition to any Valentine’s Day gift. The MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix blend includes Paradise Punch, Strawberry, Grape and Cherry flavors. HOT TAMALES® special edition for Valentine’s Day is the classic Cinnamon flavor everyone loves and the box comes ready to gift with a tag fully integrated into the packaging! SRP for both 5oz boxes is $1.00 - $1.39 5oz HT Valetines Horizontal“There is nothing sweeter on Valentine’s Day than candy,” says Koren Ivie, Brand Manager for MIKE AND IKE® and HOT TAMALES® candy. “We are sure consumers will fall in love with MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix as well as HOT TAMALES® with Valentine’s Day packaging!” For more product varieties please visit www.mikeandike.com and www.hottamales.com.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Smucker's Naturals, Laura Scudder's and Adams Natural Peanut Butter...YUMMY

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting (#MC) for Smucker’s. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.”


My family and I are HUGE peanut butter fans. Especially my kids. Our favorite brand is Laura Scudder's. Did you know that this January, Smucker’s, Laura Scudder's and Adams Natural Peanut Butter have teamed up to support the national parks through a $100,000 donation to the National Parks Conservation Association's (NPCA) America's Great Waters Program.

This is such a great thing Smucker's, Laura Scudder's and Adams Natural Peanut Butter are doing. This month look for the .25 cent-off coupons on shelves in your local stores towards the purchase of a jar of natural peanut butter. For every coupon redeemed by March 24, 2014, Smucker’s will donate $1 to the NPCA, up to an additional $50,000. Also, check out the Laura Scudder’s Facebook page for ways to help in your community this year.

Now go buy some Peanut Butter...YUMMY!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Shane's Mario Room

Shane's big present this past Christmas was a new Mario themed bedroom.
We still have a few finishing touches to put on it but it has been coming together so nicely.

It started with this new rug from CapelRugs.com.
 It is so soft and thick and made with such quality. It just ties the room together so nicely.  It matches perfectly to his new Mario themed room. It even matched well to his old Cars room as you can see from the above picture.

For Christmas SANTA brought Shane Mario bedding and his adopted Grandma got him Mario wall decals.  All to make for a perfect Mario room.

Look how awesome his room looks now!


We are just waiting for the weather to warm up so we can paint his walls and install some shelving then it will be complete. 


Capel makes all different color and design rugs. Perfect to makeover any room in your home. 



Thursday, January 2, 2014

Minion Munch Chex® Party Mix

“Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.”





 Love bananas as much as the Minions? Try the new Minion Munch Chex® Party Mix with your family – it only takes 15 minutes in the microwave and will have your little minions going nuts for more! Minion Munch Chex® Party Mix


 

 Ingredients
 2 cups Honey Nut Chex® cereal
2 cups Chocolate Chex® cereal
2 cups Banana Nut Cheeerios® cereal
1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 cup freeze-dried banana chips
1/2 cup candy-coated chocolate candies


Directions

 1. In large microwaveable bowl, measure cereals and peanuts.
2. In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave butter until melted, about 30 seconds. Stir in brown sugar and peanut butter; microwave 30 seconds longer or until mixture is boiling. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated.
3. Microwave uncovered on High about 3 minutes, stirring every minute, until mixture is glazed. Cool 5 minutes. Stir in dried bananas and candies.

Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container.