Young At Heart Mommy

Managing Motherhood Through Love & Laughter

Ragรบ No-Boil Spicy Italian Penne Bake Recipe #NewTradish

If you have ever been fortunate enough to witness my skills in the kitchen then you may know I typically burn most recipes I attempt to make. I guess “skills” isn’t the best word to describe what goes on in there. No, I am no exaggerating. I just wasn’t blessed with the cooking gene that many of the woman in my family have. It skipped me gracefully and in turn I was given the gift of baking! A fair trade it is and I take full advantage. But this doesn’t mean I don’t at least try to make delicious easy meals for my family. In fact, this week I was given the task of taking a traditional recipe & making it my own with a twist. Not only is it fool proof but it’s also quick, packed with an explosion of flavors, easy to make, and involved my favorite Ragรบ pasta sauce. Did I mention it’s a no-boil pasta dish? It doesn’t get any better than this, I promise!
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Jalapeno Cream Cheese Won Ton Poppers

When I was in high school there was a restaurant not far from my home called HOPS. My mom and I used to go there about once a week in the afternoon because they served the most incredible Jalapeno Poppers we had ever tasted. Served with a side of sweet homemade pepper jelly, the combination of flavors was completely unique and delicious. Did I mention that instead of serving bread at the table they brought a warm plate of fresh fluffy croissants topped with a sweet drizzle of icing? This place was heaven! While the location closed a few years later, I have yet to forget my popper experience and decided to attempt to replicate these tasty snacks.
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Cupid’s Candy Corn Rice Krispy Treats #ValentinesDay

Have you ever came across someone that didn’t like the ooey gooey buttery deliciousness of a Rice Krispie Treat? Neither have I! I grew up eating them & have always considered these to be a traditional treat that can be made from scratch in a matter of minutes. Not to mention, they are inhaled quicker than they actually take to make. They never do last very long when a batch is homemade & my free hand goes a little crazy with the marshmallows. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day I made a slight change to these treats by adding in candy corn. They turned out amazing. One slight ingredient change can make such a huge difference in the final product.
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Hershey Kiss Love Buttons #ValentinesDay

My sweet tooth is becoming more and more apparent lately. I blame it on Pinterest & all of the delicious baked treats I see people pinning. I love when I find a sweet & salty snack that’s not only yummy but extremely easy to make. For a while now I have been meaning to make these little “Love Buttons” which include a medley of pretzels and milk chocolate. They are beyond simple to make & the assembly takes no time at all. I do have to warn you that they are incredibly addicting and there is no way… NO WAY… you can get away with eating only one.  I tried. I failed. I made another batch.

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Sweet + Salty Valentine Munch #ValentinesDay

Valentine’s Day will be here before we know it. In addition to Christmas, it truly is my favorite holiday of the year. Not only is it a day to share love with those around us, but it is also the day that my little girl entered the world! Since February 14, 2009 I have been celebrating Toodie’s birthday and going ALL out on this wonderful day. This includes baking, crafting, and party planning.
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Warm Up The Holidays With Tropical Island Chex Mix + BOGO Deal At Publix! #sponsored

Looking for a tasty seasonal snack to nibble on while your decorating the tree or wrapping gifts? Tropical Island Chex Mix is sweet, tangy, tart, and crunchy. This week Toodie and I prepared a whole batch at home and everyone has been munching on it since. This recipe is VERY easy to prepare which means you can have your children lend a hand in the process! If your family loves Chex Mix then this is sure to please. It’s a delicious alternative to the traditional Chex Party Mix varieties. Plus you can make it at home in under 15 minutes. With the weather getting a bit chilly here it sure does help to warm up the holidays and add a little “tropical tang” to tradition. Take a look at the recipe below and let me know what your family thought!
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Brown Sugared Bacon Grilled Cheese

It’s October, a solid five months before National Grilled Cheese month in April. I know I am early but I couldn’t help myself with this one. Cheese? Bacon? Individually they are two of my favorite foods and also ingredients. When you put them together it’s pure magic! Heavenly some would say. Open up the gates ’cause i’m coming on in.
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Perfectly Peachy Pineapple Smoothie With Bigelow Tea

Before the year began I had a solid list of resolutions and changes that I vowed to stick to, no matter how tough the temptation. One of these being my love, addiction, and urge to drink the fizzy beverage known as soda. Does anyone really stick to their resolutions and promises for more than a few weeks, maybe even days? I know what you’re thinking, it’s almost impossible to keep the willpower going strong! For me it was easier said than done. While I never paid attention to the unhealthy affects of soda, I came to realize that there were other options that would quench my thirst without harming my body. This is why I started drinking tea, hot and cold. Whether it’s fruit flavored or green, the brand that I prefer is Bigelow Tea. 
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Marshmallow Ice Cream Cone Cookies

It’s a new year! With 2012 gone, I have decided that this year I will make more time to do things that I truly love and enjoy. One of the many interests I have is baking with my little girl. I found this recipe in one of my favorite baking books, “Fun Stuff- 3 Books in 1: Cupcakes, Cookies, Silly Snacks.” This book has pages of sweet and savory recipes for children and adults. From Sloppy Joe Sliders to Rocky Road Cupcakes, each page contains easy to follow directions for every creation. The photos are big and colorful so you have a guideline to what you are making and what it should come out looking like! I’ve had this book for a few months now but haven’t had much time to appreciate it. This weekend I made “Marshmallow Ice Cream Cone Cookies” with Toodie in preparation for her birthday next month. My munchkin is going to be 4! I still can’t believe it. The pressure is on to deliver a dessert table of special treats on her big day. Of course, I attached the recipe and a few pictures below in case you want to satisfy a sweet tooth this week.

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Taco Tuesday + A Wholly Guacamole GIVEAWAY! #TacoTues


HOLY GUACAMOLE, it has been one busy week! It was full of delicious food, holiday decorating, shopping, and baking.  Thanksgiving came and went quicker than expected. After enjoying leftover turkey sandwiches and heaps of stuffing everyday, we all agreed that we could use an alternate meal with a kick. Thank goodness a big package of tasty Wholly Guacamole and Cabot Cheese arrived at my doorstep just in time. Wholly Guacamole was kind enough to provide me with a cooler full of a variety of guacamole, salsas, and Cabot cheese. They also sent a cutting board, cheese cutter, and other cute accessories representing their brand. After making a few phones calls to close family friends, a “Taco Tuesday” night was in the works. Do you enjoy taco nights with your family? You may want to stick around to the end because you could win a prize pack just like the one I received!

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