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- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup Skippy honey-roasted peanut butter (or other creamy PB)
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup dark chocolate chunks
- 3/4 cup pretzel pieces
- 3/4 cup lightly salted peanuts
- 1/2 cup Skippy honey-roasted peanut butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Basic Car Seat Safety Knowledge: Parents are aware of basic car seat safety guidelines; nearly 90 percent of parents believe their child should remain rear-facing as long as possible.
- Turning Too Soon: Despite widespread understanding that children in car seats should remain rear-facing as longs as possible, a whopping 58 percent of parents underestimate the age at which it is safe to turn their child’s car seat to the forward- facing position.
- On Following the Rules: Less than one third (31 percent) of parents are following manufacturer’s safety guidelines when deciding when to transition their child’s car seat from rear- to forward-facing.
- Nearly 90 percent of parents know their child should remain rear-facing as long as possible, but half disregard recommended manufacturer’s guidelines when deciding when to transition their child’s car seat from rear- to forward-facing.
- Choosing Comfort Over Safety: Car seat safety experts recommend parents keep their children rear-facing as long as possible and transition to forward-facing only when their car seat manufacturer’s guidelines are met. However, nearly half of parents (48 percent) are choosing to turn their child’s car seat based on comfort, rather than safety. Top reasons parents transition their child’s car seat from rear- to forward-facing are because their child’s feet were touching the vehicle seat (31 percent), followed by their child being too uncomfortable (10 percent) or fussy (8 percent) when rear-facing.
- Ask the Experts: One-in-five (19 percent) parents say it was difficult installing a convertible car seat, yet parents are 40 percent less likely to get professional help installing a convertible car seat than an infant seat (15 percent vs. 25 percent, respectively).
- Forty percent of parents say installing their child’s convertible car seat was overwhelming, yet only 15 percent sought out professional help to install it.
- 3 months and older
- BPA-free
- Provides comfort to delicate gums
- 0 months and older
- BPA-free
- Provides stimulus to the lips and tongue which promotes the transition from nursing to chewing
- 3 months or older
- BPA-free
- aids in the eruption and strengthening of new teeth
- Different textures for biting and teething purposes
Frosted Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies #EnergytoBurn
October 7th, 2013
Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and The National Peanut Board
Our lives have been pretty busy lately and I never would have believed how much more until now, not only because we have two kids now but because life changes and requires more. Sometimes, juggling work, family and activities can take a lot out of us. More than ever, we need help to get through the day (or night) in our increasingly busy lives.
Lately I have found a definite need for more protein for the 12-14 hours of straight attention and love I devote to my little family. It takes a lot out of me. It is easy to eat junk but I have been really trying to refocus my eating towards smoothies and oatmeal in the last couple of weeks.
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This past week I added some peanut butter to my oatmeal, ate it at 8am and was not hungry until 2pm which was the only time I had for eating lunch since I tended to my girls needs. I loved it! Did you know peanuts and peanut butter provide lasting energy and a smart addition to your diet? It’s also an affordable source of protein and really convenient. Now I know why my husband likes peanuts so much!
This week I plan on adding peanuts and peanut butter to my Asian dish and make a peanut butter green smoothie. Who’s with me? With 7 grams per serving, peanuts have more energy boosting protein than any nut. Coupled with their more than 30 essential vitamins and nutrients, peanuts are considered a superfood. How about this fact, peanuts originated in South America and are a key ingredient in many Latin foods. I know mole’ in the north of Mexico uses peanuts in their sauce. Yum.
In our home we have a go-to chocolate cookie recipe we have been making the past 6 years and even though it is not quite Latin it is our recipe. It is soft and chewy on the inside and a little crispy on the outside. It is perfect for us cookie snobs. I boosted this recipe adding peanuts and peanut butter for an almost trail mix-type of cookie with a bit of indulgence. The end result? Husband approved!!
I added some peanuts, Skippy honey-roasted peanut butter, pretzel bits and dark chocolate chunks and glazed them with cinnamon-spiced peanut glaze. Yes. So good.
Frosted Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookies
by Noelle Kelly
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
Ingredients (1 1/2 dozen)
Frosting
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper.
Sift flour, salt, baking soda, and set aside. In a separate medium bowl, mix sugars and melted butter and peanut butter until blended. Add the egg, egg white and vanilla. mix until creamy.
Add sifted ingredients and hand mix until blended. Stir in chocolate chunks, pretzel pieces, and peanuts.
Scoop dough into a 1/4-cup measuring spoon and place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart from each other.
Bake for 14-16 minutes. Cookies will look like soft and not cooked but they are perfect. Let them cool for 10 minutes and frost.
Melt 1/2 cup peanut butter in microwave for 30-35 seconds. Add 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 2-3 Tablespoons of milk. Mix until smooth.
Dip each cookie into frosting. You will have extra frosting to dip pretzels 🙂
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Child Passenger Safety Month with Chicco
September 30th, 2013Here is a little info from Chicco for this month that you might not be aware of. I certainly learned some more about car seat safety but I remember being chastised by some other mom early in my new mom stage. Let’s try to be nice and educate for those that do not know.
Thanks Chicco!
Thanks Chicco!
Car Seat Safety Tips from Julie Prom, Car Seat Safety Advocate for Chicco
· Rear-facing is safest. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend rear-facing as long as possible. Parents should keep child rear-facing until at least 2 years old, longer if the car safety seat weight and height limit allows. Young children are fragile and are best protected in a rear-facing car seat. To ensure a child can stay rear-facing as long as possible, purchase a convertible seat when your baby outgrows the infant seat.
· Most children younger than 5-years old are not mature enough to sit without a full harness. Keep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness until at least 5 or 6 years old.
· Most common mistakes can be avoided by simply following manufacturers’ instructions. All car seats must meet stringent Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to be sold in the U.S. It is when they are not used correctly that makes them unsafe. Always read and follow the instructions for the safety seat. Also, read the vehicle owner’s manual section on child restraints.
· Always buckle your baby into the safety seat first, and then cover the baby with blankets. Avoid bulky clothing and add-on products such as car seat buntings. This can interfere with proper harness fit and crash performance of the seat. A good trick for older children is to buckle them in without their jacket and then put it back on them backwards over the harness. Not only do these techniques ensure proper harness fit, but also avoids overheating by allowing the baby to be easily uncovered or the child to take his jacket off once the car gets warmer.
Car Seat Installation Tips
· LOCATION
o Air Bags and Children Don’t Mix – NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in the front an active frontal air bag, serious injury or death can occur.
o Back Seat is Best – The back seat is safest for all children. Keep children in the back seat until at least age 13.
· INSTALLATION
o Make it Tight! – A car seat must be installed tightly in the vehicle to do its job. If you can move the seat at the belt path more than an inch side to side or front to back, it’s not tight enough.
o Forward-facing – A Tether is Always Better! – Always use the tether when using a forward-facing car seat. A tether will help hold the top of the car seat back and provide better protection for the child.
o Rear-facing – Keep baby’s Airway Open – Make sure a rear-facing car seat is at the correct angle so your infant’s head does not fall forward.
· FIT
o Harness Height – Rear-facing, harness should be at or BELOW the child’s shoulders. Forward-facing, harness should be at or ABOVE the child’s shoulders.
o Harness Snug – Make sure the harness is snug! There should be no slack in the harness at the baby’s shoulders. Avoid bulky clothing; this can interfere with harness fit.
o Booster Seats – Ensure the adult safety belt is threaded properly through the belt guides. The lap belt should be on child’s lower hips/upper thighs and the shoulder belt should lay flat across the middle of the child’s shoulder and chest.
Chicco 2013 Baby Safety Month Survey
Top Line Results and Findings
September 17, 2013
SURVEY RESULTS HIGHLIGHTS
Following are the key findings from the 2013 Chicco Baby Safety Month Survey. Cone will weave these news factoids into the press release and one-on-one outreach to create media-worthy news hooks and provide an opportunity to naturally tie in Chicco’s car seats: the KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat and NextFit Convertible Car Seat.
The survey revealed common missteps related to car seat safety, as well as a significant discrepancy between what parents know to be true and what they actually do when transitioning their child from rear- to forward-facing.
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Weight Watchers: A Delicious Skinny Brownie Dessert {Review}
September 27th, 2013
A week ago I was sent a nice package in the mail telling me I was going to be trying something new on the market that was going to be tasty, decadent, and low-cal. I loved the packaging and could not wait to open the box. What did I find?
Inside the box were these enticing chocolate desserts. Now I am very familiar with Weight Watchers points plus system since I was on it after my first daughter was born. It was hard giving up my sweet tooth for healthier options but now I have a reason to get back on it cause these Brownies are yummy!
I received a box of Triple Chocolate Brownie Bliss and a box of Peanut Butter Brownie Bliss. I found out that they are 2 points plus a piece which is roughly 80-90 calories a serving.
Which one to try first!
They looked like candy bars. My hubby and I tried both of them together and I did not let him know who they were by but just waited for him to taste them. He proceeded to smell them first because he always smells his food, then he took a bite.
First thing out of his mouth was “Are these healthy?” He felt like he was being tricked out of a dessert but then he said they tasted like Snackwells but better. If he had his choice though he definitely would go for the Triple Chocolate.
I on the other hand like the Peanut Butter Brownie Bliss Bar because who does not like something like a Reese’s? I thought they were tasty 3-bites of goodness that were perfect for a mid-day craving. How about a more-detailed description of each:
•Triple Chocolate Brownie Bliss™ – A decadent brownie layered with creamy, chocolate ganache and a chocolaty coating. Each individually-wrapped brownie is 80 calories.
•Peanut Butter Brownie Bliss™ – A decadent brownie layered with creamy, real peanut butter and a chocolaty coating. Each individually-wrapped brownie is 90 calories.
The following week I shared them with my mom’s group at a mother’s night out gathering at a local place and they all agreed to taste something chocolate. Who could say no?
Consensus: They tasted like a power bar but if they were on Weight Watchers these would make great dessert options. The majority liked the Triple Bliss Brownie too!
I definitely would buy these myself and even more so when I get back on WW. These are currently being sold at Wal-mart, Kroger, and Publix. Read the press release for this product HERE.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the Role Mommy Writer’s Network. All opinions are my own.
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Mother May I?
September 24th, 2013
My children are growing fast and I simply do not know how to respond! I keep taking photos to keep to keep track of their changing looks and I simply cannot believe it! Do you ever look at your lives and realize you are in your 30s with kids? Some days I wake up and it is surreal, but surreal in a good way.
I have two kids under the age of 2 and it is flying by quickly. Some days are hard and other days are breezy but I know my gaze and my self has to turned toward Christ DAILY. I was blessed to be a part of a women’s conference this past weekend and I was filled with God’s promises and encouraged by other women.
You know what made it extra special as well? My hubby took care of the girls on the weekend. It was freeing and relaxing being able to sit and concentrate hearing God’s Word and singing. Even though I can do that on Sunday’s it is challenging since we are church training our kiddos. Sounds funny eh?
My hubby is a HUGE helper and really makes sure I get some time off. I really do not know worry that he is not going to do a bad job. Who cares if my kids have the wrong size clothing on or that he forgot to brush their teeth? The fact is that I am elated and blessed when I hear that they were easy for him when I think in reality is that they have a change from being with mommy all the time. 🙂
I love seeing how the sister relationship is developing and even though we have had to redirect how the older sister might be acting she really loves her baby sister. Sometimes it is hard not to always give the attention to the oldest and first baby in your life but God has greater plans and they come in these small packages.
What is the greatest challenge in your life right now?
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Teething toys for babies and toddlers {New Nûby™ Teethers}
September 18th, 2013
Nûby™ recently launched three new teethers and my 7-month old was able to try them. We have LOTS of teething going on in our home. Now that K has her bottom two teeth she still seems to continue to drool a lot, which is supposed to be a comfort to a baby. I think if my baby had her way she would teeth on paper, plastic, and my arm. Ha!
Take a look at the newest teethers by Nûby™!
I personally like this chewbie teether because it has raised textures and is like a pacifier and can be flipped by the baby and used on both sides. I saw that it helped my 6-month old baby, at the time, maneuver and make use of her little hands.
Even though it comes in its own case it was easy to missplace but I definitely love the design and colors.
Chewbies™ Soft Silicone Teether
This teether goes in the fridge and is very smooth and easy to handle by my 6-month old but she quickly lost interest. It did not seem to soothe her. I believe my toddler enjoyed chewing on it. 😛
Softees™ Soft Silicone Teether
I love this teether because not only does it serve to soothe a baby’s gums but it is a great toy! It is colorful and easy to grab. Yet, again, my toddler LOVES this and she is almost 23 month old and seems to enjoy biting. I believe her back molars are starting to bother her.
My 7-month old, now, loves the colors but has no interest in biting this teether.
Bug-a-Loop™ Teether
