Tag Archives: Mommy Ramblings

November 20, 2016 · 5:01 pm

My Secret For Baking Perfect Bread Loaves Every Time!

Tis’ the season for hearty soups and stews and home-baked bread. I used to have issues baking bread, it just never came out right. Last year, I discovered that when I used a bread cloche I could make the most delicious artisan bread consistently. Baguettes were not a problem any more either and I was turning them out 3 at a time. They disappeared before they were even cool! So I was left with mastering baking the perfect bread loaf. I am happy to report I mastered that and no matter how many I make, they are perfect and delicious every time!

If you are looking for pointers, I can help. I will tell you that I do use bread flour, I add a little more sugar than my recipe calls for and make sure to use fresh, active dry yeast. The recipe I use is easy, it is actually the same recipe I use when I make my round bread in the Emile & Henry Bread Cloche. I do not change a thing, the only thing I do differently, is use the Emile & Henry Bread Loaf Baker.

This is the recipe I use:

3 cups of bread flour

1 cup of warm water (95 degrees F)

2 tsp of salt

2 tsp of granulated sugar

2 tsp of dried baker’s yeast

2 tbsp of milk

In a large bowl mix the bread flour, salt, sugar and dried yeast.

Pour in the warm water and knead for about 2-3 minutes.

Put the covered bowl in a warm place away from drafts to rise for 20 minutes. Uncover the dough and knead to remove the carbon dioxide, form the dough into a loaf. Grease the bread loaf pan with butter and flour and place the loaf of dough into the loaf dish. Cover with the top and let rise for another 45 minutes at room temperature.

Brush a little milk over the top at the end of the rise time and sprinkle with flour.

Bake in a preheated oven of 460 degrees F for 35 minutes and I remove it after a few minutes to a board.

Click on my video below to see me bake a loaf from start to finish.

We have a giveaway for this bread loaf baker and you can enter below. We will also be posting a giveaway for a Emile & Henry Butter Pot and Stewpot so make sure you follow us if you don’t want to miss it. We think Emile & Henry products make great gifts and we will be putting them on our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide.

Emile & Henry is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a Emile & Henry Bread Loaf Baker . Thank you to Emile & Henry for my bread loaf baker and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Emile & Henry Bread Loaf Baker Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Baking, Cooking, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, Review

Tagged as baking, Baking Tips, Baking Tutorial, Bread Loaf Baker, cooking, Emile Henry, giveaway, Mommy Ramblings, mommyramblings

November 19, 2016 · 10:45 pm

Meet Your Teething Baby’s New Best Friend-Sammy The Squid #Giveaway #HolidayGiftGuide

Babies who are teething have a new best friend! Meet Sammy The Squid, his squeaks will have baby squealing with delight. The variety of textures and chewable parts will make Sammy a friend your baby will want around all the time.

This teething toy is part of the Brain Builders Collection from The People Toy Co. Sammy may seem a little pale but it is a good thing! There are no added colors for safety. The unique shape holds your baby’s attention, soothes sore gums and helps develop multiple senses.

Check out our video review of this teething toy below:

You can purchase this teether on Amazon. We like it so much we are adding it to Mommy Ramblings 2016 Holiday Gift Guide!

The People Toy Co. is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a Sammy The Squid Teethng Toy! Thank you to The People Toy Co. for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Sammy The Squid Teether From The People Toy Co. Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Baby, Baby Gear, Christmas, Gift, Giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, Review

Tagged as Baby Products, giveaway, Holiday Gift Guide, Mommy Ramblings, People Toy Co, review, Sammy The Squid Teething Toy, Teething

October 30, 2016 · 11:07 pm

My Mom Confession-I Hate Halloween!

There, I said it! I am not one of those moms who obsesses for months over the perfect costume. I don’t look forward to going out trick or treating with my kids. It is not that I don’t enjoy being with my kids, it is just that there is so much I would rather be doing with them. In fact, it is their happiness that keeps me doing it. It is nothing religious or anything like that. As a kid it was fun, but it was not over the top fun. When we were done trick or treating, I was glad it was over and actually liked answering the door for the kids and handing out candy better.

The weather in upstate New York is so unpredictable. I can remember so many Halloweens where my kids had to go trick or treating in winter coats. You could not even see their costumes. It would be raw and bitter cold and you would go to as many houses as you could before your ears froze off. Of course our neighbors are few and far between as we live in a rural area so that means driving and with little kids that means buckling them in and out of car seats every 2 minutes. Car seats with costumes is not fun, car seats with costumes and winter coats is excruciatingly not fun.

On the years when the weather is nice, it is tolerable once we arrive at a quaint neighborhood in town. There we can park and walk from house to house. We meet up with friends and it is enjoyable, for a while.

Once the chill creeps in and the kids start comparing who got what and bickering over the fact, that one got a Snickers and one got a Kit Kat at the last house. Soon after that I will make the announcement that we are going to the last 2 houses and calling it a night. Sometime they moan that they want to do more even though their buckets are overflowing with candy and sometimes they are just as glad to be done. As soon as we get to the car, you can see their exhaustion and they are happy to be headed home.

The worst part is when Halloween falls on a weekday. Of course, this year, it is not only on a weekday but that weekday is Monday! It is getting dark earlier, the kids don’t get off the school bus until 4:10 pm. If we are lucky their teachers will not assign the usual mountain of homework. It will still be an immediate rush to get them dressed and in the car to head out to a Trunk or Treat in town and then to that little neighborhood and hit our neighbors who want so much to see the kids and always have special things for them.

After that it will be a rush home, fighting about who got what and why can’t they eat any more candy. Then it will be showers and bedtime. After that, I will be so grateful we survived and we don’t have to think about this for another year! Oh wait, where was dinner? Where does dinner fit in here? See what I mean? It is crazy! Does any parent really enjoy this?

Let me not forget to mention, Halloween comes on the heels of a jam-packed weekend of a Halloween Parade we all marched in down to the youth center where there were games, cider, donuts and more. On Sunday, the last soccer game of the season was on despite the torrential rain and chilly weather. Everyone was drenched, freezing and wanting to get home and warm. We all had to wait until the awards and the party was finished.

So there is my big confession, I don’t like Halloween! There would be no argument from me if it was cancelled. If it cannot be cancelled, I wish we could all agree to celebrate it on the last Saturday of October, so no one needs to juggle all this on a school night.

Oh, one more thing, I am not a huge fan of birthday parties either.

How To Top The Perfect Ice Cream Sundae

We love our ice cream in this house and more than that, we love our ice cream sundaes! We make fresh whipped cream, top gourmet ice cream with real caramel sauce and decadent hot fudge. Then we pile on the freshly whipped cream, add chopped nuts and of course a cherry on top. Some don’t give much thought to that cherry on top but we do. We recently heard about Dell’s Maraschino Cherries and had to try them.

Dell’s Maraschino Cherries are crunchy, tasty and sweet unlike the other brands we have tried that were limp, tasteless and not even appetizing to look at.

Located in Brooklyn, New York, Dell’s Maraschino Cherries come with or without stems and are the perfect “cherries” for your cocktails, soft drinks, ice cream or desserts. Dell’s Maraschino Cherries has a complete line of the best quality, best tasting, medium, large or jumbo sized maraschino cherries for consumers, retailers, schools, colleges, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and airlines. When you choose Dell’s Maraschino Cherries, you can be rest assured you’re choosing the best!

Check out the delicious Maraschino Cherry recipes on their website. Let me know how you top your favorite sundae and if you ever tried Dell’s Maraschino Cherries.

Go Back To School With PJ Masks

Almost time for back to school for my kids. I am super excited to share some PJ Mask’s Back To School gear. As PJ Mask Blog Ambassadors we were sent a sampling of goodies. My son loves the feel of the back pack and lunch box. The have an almost memory foam type feel and the shirt with attached cape really lets him play out the part of the little super hero.

The 14″ PJ Masks Time To Be A Hero backpack features Owlette, Gekko and Catboy. This backpack is nice and roomy with a padded back and straps. There are side mesh pockets to hold a water bottle and a double zipper for convenience.

This coordinating lunch box features a double zipper for easy access, the padded handle means it is comfortable to carry and your child’s lunch and snack will stay nice and fresh because it is insulated.

Back packs and lunch boxes are available at Toys “R” Us and you can find so many cute clothing options featuring these great little super heroes at Kohl’s. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions.

Enter Our #Giveaway For “The Wonder Years” Complete Series on DVD

Last week Time Life re-issued one of the most beloved sitcoms of all-time in specially priced slipcase packaging!

THE WONDER YEARS: THE COMPLETE SERIES

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Add One of the “Top 20 Shows of the ‘80’s” to Your Home Entertainment Collection; the 22-Disc Set Features All 115 Landmark Episodes and Nearly 12 Hours of Exclusive Bonus Features!

For six seasons, The Wonder Years captured the angst of growing up in suburban middle-class America in the late 1960’s, as seen through the life and times of Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage). Audiences eagerly followed his evolution as a typical awkward teenager who remembered every moment of his transition from childhood with excruciating detail and remarkable hindsight.

From his first kiss with Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar) to his friendship with Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano) and the ups and downs of the Arnold family, fans shared in laughter, love, and loss, but above all, wonder. This 22-DVD set contains all 115 episodes from the six seasons of this landmark series that aired from 1988 to 1993. Included in this specially priced slipcase set are complete show notes with episode synopses, cast member reflections, “Current Events,” and more plus nearly 12 hours of bonus material, as well as an astounding soundtrack of over 300 classic period songs as they were featured in the original broadcasts featuring such artists as: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, and of course, Joe Cocker’s unforgettable theme.

BONUS FEATURES

Highlights from the first cast reunion in 16 years
Roundtable discussions with Danica McKellar, Fred Savage, and Josh Saviano
6 newly produced featurettes
Farewell set tour
One-hour ABC broadcast of the series finale
1 TV Guide
Exclusive interviews with the show’s creators and cast including Fred Savage, Danica McKellar, Josh Saviano, Alley Mills, Dan Lauria, Olivia d’Abo, Jason Hervey, and more!

ABOUT THE WONDER YEARS

The Wonder Years debuted in 1988 following ABC’s broadcast of Super Bowl XXII, and the affectionate look at growing up in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s in suburban America was unlike anything else on television. It was 1968 — the year of Nixon, space walks, Mod Squad, and Vietnam. Enter Kevin Arnold, a sixth grader at Kennedy Junior High School. Set against the suburban backdrop of Anytown, USA, Kevin sought to minimize his teenage angst while dealing with an older, noogie-happy brother Wayne (Jason Hervey), a rebellious sister, Karen (Olivia d’Abo), distant, workaholic father, Jack (Dan Lauria) and doting housewife mother, Norma (Alley Mills). Add to the mix Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano), his nerdy, allergy-riddled best friend, a potential love interest in winsome girl-next-door Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar) and narration by an older, wiser, wittier Kevin (voiced by Daniel Stern) to add perspective to the nostalgia, and you have the perfect recipe for TV greatness.

For the next six seasons, America tuned in to follow Kevin’s exploits, as he navigated adolescence in the most memorable of ways. From 1988 to 1993, The Wonder Years was one of the most popular shows on TV, achieving a spot in the Nielsen Top 30 for four of its six seasons. And the critical accolades and awards would follow: after only a scant six episodes, the show captured an Emmy® for “Best Comedy Series;” and, at the age of 13, Fred Savage would become the youngest actor ever nominated as “Outstanding Lead Actor for a Comedy Series.” The series would also go on to win 24 awards (and be nominated for 70 more), including multiple Emmy® Awards, a Golden Globe® and, in 1989, a Peabody® Award for pushing the boundaries of the sitcom format and using new modes of storytelling. Additionally, in 1997, “My Father’s Office” was ranked #29 on TV Guide’s “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time” and in the 2009 list, the pilot episode was ranked #43. Suffice it to say, The Wonder Years was one of the most critically lauded sitcoms of the late 80s and early 90s.

Enter To Win This Collector’s Set

Time Life is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win this 22 disc Wonder Years Collection! Thank you to Time Life for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Wonder Years Complete Series DVD Collection Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Entertainment, Giveaway, Movies, Music

Tagged as Classic TV, Complete Series, DVD, Fred Savage, giveaway, Mommy Ramblings, mommyramblings, Movies, The Wonder Years, Time Life, TV, Win, Winnie Cooper

July 3, 2016 · 2:18 am

“Would A Worm Go On A Walk?” #Giveaway

We are a family of book lovers and reading aloud to me kids is a very special time that we all treasure. Worm on a Walk by Hannah C. Hall is a creative and funny picture book that all animals are uniquely created by a loving and wise God.

Would a worm go on a walk, if you could lead him down the street?

Would he wear his tiny tennies, if he had four worm-sized feet?

Would a worm go on a walk?

No.

No matter how he tries, worms weren’t made for walking and they don’t like exercise.

The whimsical illustrations and fun text make it easy to teach young children that God created all creatures and children too with wonderful qualities and unique strengths. Our kids loved this book and I can tell it will be a favorite. What I like best is it lets them feel that everyone is loved and special, even a worm.
About the author:
Hannah C. Hall is the author of best-selling children’s books, including God Bless You and Good Night and God Bless Our Christmas, as well as an award-winning blog, HannahCHall.com. Hannah lives in Prairie Grove, AK with her husband, Josh, a worship pastor, and their four children.

Would you like a chance to win a copy of this great book? I thought you would. Just enter below.

Giveaway:

Worm On A Walk Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!! Open to US and Canada residents. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

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Filed under Books, Giveaway, Review

Tagged as #FlyBy, #WormOnAWalk, book, giveaway, Mommy Ramblings, Worm On A Walk

July 2, 2016 · 8:26 pm

Great Ways to Entertain Your Creative Child. #Giveaway

Coloring books are in like never before which is why I am so excited to share these coloring books with you. They are very different because they have a very creative aspect that is perfect to give kids something different to really let them get their creative juices flowing.

Fill Me In by Moose Allain is an original fill-me-in journal from the World of Moose, packed with ideas and complex illustrations to spark the creative imagination. Playful drawings and simple prompts invite creators of all ages to not only color but to sketch, imagine, and finish his dense line drawings. Complete your own city, fill it with people, write a comic, and more. The ultimate rainy-day book, sure to keep budding artists busy for hours!

The next 2 are both from Rebecca Jones and they are just beautiful.

The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Flowers and Butterflies and The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Nature let kids get creative with these amazingly innovative coloring books, full of beautifully designed cards and envelopes to tear out and color.

Each book features twenty four designs that are perfect for all ages to decorate and send to family and friends. Take inspiration from real life, or get experimental – try unusual colors and different materials to make each card truly unique! With enough blank space inside for a message, envelopes to customize and cute stickers to seal your card – this is the complete creative package!

Want to see more? Check out our video review below:

Would you like to win all 3 coloring books? I thought you would. Then scroll on down to our giveaway below and good luck!

Giveaway:

Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win al three of these coloring books. Thank you to Candlewick Press for the review books and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!! Open to US residents.

Coloring Book Creative Bundle Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Creative Activities, Giveaway, Review

Tagged as Candlewick Press, Coloring, Coloring Books, Creative, giveaway, Mommy Ramblings, Nosy Crow, YouTube Review

June 23, 2016 · 3:22 pm

Top Sports Essentials For Your Little Athlete

With 5 kids who all play sports and a husband who is a world champion power lifter, it goes without saying we are an active family. We love that our kids are not couch potatoes. They literally spend every waking moment in some type of action. Our sons Ethan and Luke are finishing the baseball season and living on a lake we are always swimming during the summer as well as biking and hiking. My oldest is training for the New York Marathon!

As we wind down baseball season I thought I would talk about some essential things to help kids get the most they can out of the sport and also be safe.

Top Little League Baseball Essentials:

Glove- A good baseball glove is essential. I know as the mom of 3 left-handed kids how hard it can be to find mitts for them. Start early in the season when you are buying one or you might be running everywhere trying to find one. Take your child with you and let them try it on. You never want to buy a glove that is too big. If the glove is too big it will make trying to catch balls awkward and will discourage them. The glove should fit snug without feeling tight. Remember too, gloves will loosen up naturally so size it carefully.

Batting gloves are also nice to have and help your child with gripping the bat. Again choose batting gloves that are sized correctly and are made well.

Batting Helmet- We buy our own batting helmets for our kids because we don’t like kids sharing helmets. First off by buying our own we know our kids have helmets that fit them properly and are offering them the best protection. Second sharing hats or helmets could put your child at risk in contracting head lice, no one wants that. Make sure the batting helmet meets the industry standards and is accepted by your child’s league.

Bat- Choose a bat that fits your child, nothing is worse than having your child get up to bat and hastily choosing a bat that is too big, too heavy or uncomfortable and trying to make the best of it. Your child will not do well and get discouraged. They should also be practicing between games with the bat so they are confident when they are up at the plate.

Take your child with you and choose a bat that is correct for their age and height. This list of the best baseball bats can help in your decision making process. Some kids like heavier bats and some lighter, if you let your child try a few, they can see which they prefer.

Baseball Cleats-It goes without saying that proper footwear is necessary to play any sport but with baseball you want cleats that fit well and will increase their performance and traction during the game and during drills at practice.

There are many other things you can get like a bat bag, special eye wear, jock straps, baseball socks and so much more! However, I think one of the most important things and one not to be overlooked is something to keep your child hydrated. A good sports drink is absolutely essential! As a mom I don’t like giving my kids sports drinks that are full of sugar, artificial flavors and colors. I want a healthier sports drink for my kids. I found it in BODYARMOR, the #1 Natural Sports Drink!

BODYARMOR is a premium sports drink with potassium-packed electrolytes, coconut water and vitamins and contains natural flavors, natural sweeteners and no artificial colors, unlike traditional sports drinks.

Many of the top professional athletes have chosen BODYARMOR over all other sports drinks, including Andrew Luck, Richard Sherman, Mike Trout and James Harden. BODYARMOR is a GREAT choice for young athletes who don’t need all the extra sodium in their diets or the artificial ingredients that come from drinking other sports drinks on the market.

BODYARMOR Is Available in 8 Delicious Flavors:

Fruit Punch

Orange Mango

Strawberry Banana

Tropical Punch

Lemon Lime

Mixed Berry

Grape

Blackout Berry

BODYARMOR is available at Stop & Shop, Target, 7-Eleven and WaWa among others. You can visit the BODYARMOR website to learn more and stay in the loop with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. If you think you would like to give BODYARMOR a try, I have good news! Now you can save when you try it with this downloadable coupon. Click HERE to get your coupon. Please let me know if the comments what you think after you try it.

This post was sponsored by BODYARMOR. As always my words and opinions are my own.

8 Comments

Filed under Coupon, Health, Review, Sports

Tagged as #DrinkBODYARMOR, Baseball, Bloggy Moms, BODYARMOR, Little League, Mommy Ramblings, Sports Drink, Sports Essentials

June 20, 2016 · 12:37 pm

Restoring Gut Health With #NuCulture

Let’s talk about health, after all, what is more important than good? Did you know that bacteria can hold the key to good health? You may think of bacteria as bad, germy or something to clean out of our body but there are good bacteria that help us. Probiotics are good bacteria and they are normally found in our gastrointestinal tract. They work to overpower the bad bacteria in our intestines and reduce infection and other disease. They also keep our immune system functioning at its best and help reduce inflammation. Probiotics help our intestinal lining to function at its optimal level to enhance our health and protect us from the effects of harmful bacteria.

When our balance of good and bad bacteria in our intestinal track gets out of wack all kinds of unpleasant conditions and symptoms can arise. Inflammatory bowel syndrome, cancer, heart disease and metabolic syndrome are just some of the diseases associated with intestinal imbalance. You might be surprised to know that there may also be a link to asthma, obesity and even certain allergic conditions.

More than 100 million Americans are suffering from digestive issues. Several factors can affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in our gut. Overuse of antibiotics, eating processed foods, lack of sleep, aging, stress and even environmental factors like pollution can have negative effects and be detrimental to the good bacteria our bodies need. The good news is that we can help to restore balance with probiotics. When we have a healthy balance we can see big changes in our overall health. A balanced gut can help with issues like lactose intolerance, gas, bloating, constipation, bad breath, body odor, colitis, IBS and more!

So you might think it’s as simple as going to the store and grabbing a bottle of probiotics off the shelf but it’s not that simple. Not all probiotics are the same! Most probiotics available use strains that are not clinically studied, not patented, not stable, not formulated in doses that are clinically proven to be effective, and not even delivered alive. Most probiotics are nothing but a bottle of hype.

AlternaScript wanted to change this, so, they teamed up with 3 of the industry’s powerhouses and developed NuCulture. NuCulture has 5 clinically studied live probiotic strains for digestive and gut health in 1 capsule. NuCulture contains 15 Billion CFU high-potency probiotics and helps promote good bacteria with PreforPro® Prebiotic.

15 Billion CFU High-Potency Probiotics:

DE111® Bacillus subtilis
Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07™
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04™
Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37™

Benefits:

Better Health
Reduce bloating
Support digestion

I have been a big proponent of taking probiotics for several years now. I understand that not all probiotics are created equal. Taking probiotics have helped me feel better and look better. I was excited to try NuCulture and I can say they are a great choice when choosing a US manufactured probiotic that is clinically studied and formulated with live probiotic strains. Some issues I experienced before using probiotics were bloating and digestive issues after eating. NuCulture is effective in keeping these issues at bay. There is also a reduction in my cravings for sugar. If you would like to try NuCulture for yourself, there is a free 7 day trial including free shipping. To get your free trial click HERE! You can also stay in the loop with AlternaScript on Facebook.

Let me know if you try NuCulture and what you think in the comments.