First Exclusive #Recipe Created by OatMeals for Quaker

**This is a post sponsored by Quaker

Oatmeal makes a delicious, hearty breakfast that can be topped with fruit or brown sugar.  I love to eat a warm bowl of Quaker oats on a chilly morning.  But have you ever considered eating it for dinner?  I have not ever thought of oatmeal as a dinner (or lunch) food until now.

Quaker Oats has partnered up with Sam Stephens, founder of OatMeals, the world's first oatmeal bar, in New York City to revolutionize the oatmeal experience and discover its many possibilities.  Sam is the Quaker Oats Creative Oatmeal Officer and she is cooking up some delicious recipes that will blow your oatmeal-loving mind!

Sam started experimenting with Quaker Oatmeal in college while trying to eat better and stay on a budget.  She started eating oatmeal at every meal!  She wanted to share its numerous benefits and the versatility of whole grain oats, so she pursued her dream and passion for oatmeal and opened OatMeals in New York City.  This makes her the perfect candidate for this amazing partnership.

Since opening OatMeals in Greenwich Village in New York City in 2012, Stephens has sold more than 100,000 of her inventive hot oatmeal bowls – including her signature Pumpkin Pie and Indian Spiced & Savory Truffle RisOATto – along with other oatmeal-based products like oatmeal cookies and biscotti.

To make oatmeal a part of your next meal, try out the exclusive recipe created by OatMeals for Quaker, Hearty Sweet Corn & Pancetta Oatmeal, made with seasonal, savory ingredients including ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh off-the-cob sweet corn and savory pancetta.

Hearty Sweet Corn & Pancetta Oatmeal 

1 cup Quaker steel cut oats
4 cups low sodium chicken stock
2 cups fresh corn (approximately 3 ears) or frozen, thawed
1/2 cup pancetta, diced (bacon, prosciutto, or ham can be substituted)
2 small shallots, diced (optional)
2 cloves garlic, diced (optional)
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Grated pecorino or asiago cheese

In a large saute pan, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add pancetta, corn, and cherry tomatoes and cook for five minutes. Remove this mixture from the pan and place in a bowl to the side. Into the same pan add the butter, shallots, and garlic and cook for two minutes at medium heat. Add Quaker steel cut oats and stir continuously for two to three minutes, until lightly toasted, golden, and fragrant. Add the chicken stock and stir to combine. Cover pan and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until oats are al dente. Add the pancetta, corn, and tomato mixture to the cooked oats and stir to combine. Season with black pepper to taste and top with grated pecorino cheese. Makes four servings.

Quaker has been a leader in oats for more than a century and knows nourishing and delicious whole grain oats are a perfect breakfast option. With the creative inspirations of Sam Stephens, people will now see how amazing oatmeal can be, whether it's an indulgent or savory oatmeal bowl or even a side dish.  

For more information visit  www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow on Twitter @Quaker.

Tuna Garden Salad #OceanNaturals #CBias

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and their client.

Our family really tries hard to eat healthy and my husband and I have been trying to eat a low carb/high protein diet.  We both take our lunches to work each day so I am always trying to come up with great healthy lunch recipes.  Garden salads are good but a bunch of lettuce won't give you enough energy to last through the day, I had to find some way to add protein.  I went shopping the other day to find some lunch stuff and picked up Ocean Naturals tuna.  I love tuna and so does my husband but I wanted to find a recipe for a fresh, light lunch that would incorporate it.

Ocean Naturals tuna is responsibly-caught wild tuna which has 15 g of Protein and 90 mg of Omega 3 Fatty Acids per serving.  It was a little hard to find in the huge tuna isle!  Ocean Naturals does this great Tuna Tuesdays Facebook giveaway where you can get a chance to win free product. Their tuna tastes good, is good for the planet and good for your body. You can actually learn where your specific tuna came from by clicking HERE and entering the code on the can.

I picked up some fresh veggies and some different lettuces and went home to make my creation.  I wanted to make an upgraded high protein garden salad.

I got some fresh eggs from the chicken coop and hard boiled them.  Gathered up the butter lettuces and spring mix, cucumbers, sugar snap peas and green onion and of course the tuna.

You can add pretty much any veggies you want, carrots, sweet peppers and tomato, but if you are adding tomato wait and add it right before you eat the salad don't let it sit over night.

I also added a little bit of cheese to the salad but no dressing yet since it has to sit in the fridge over night. This is a delicious way to use tuna with out any heavy sauces or fattening mayo.  

To check out my entire shop, you can visit my Google+ album HERE

Run for Science

This Saturday, Sept. 2, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614) will host its annual 5K the “Run for Science.” The Museum also just added an all new Kids Dash!

When:   September 21, 2013
Where:  Diversey Harbor across from the Nature Museum
Time:  Race begins at 9:00am

Support the Nature Museum's science education initiatives and register for the family-friendly Run for Science 5k!  All registrants will receive a timed race bib, a long-sleeve performance t-shirt and free admission the after-party at the Museum following the race.  Plus, all participants are entered for a chance to win a pair of round-trip economy class United Airlines tickets good for the US 48, Alaska, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean OR a three-night trip for two adults to the Occidental Grand Xcaret resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico, compliments of Apple Vacations!

The winners of the best male and female overall will receive a one-year gym membership, compliments of Fitness Formula Clubs (a $1,200 value)!  Adult age group winners will receive gift certificates from Epic Burger and children’s age group winners will receive tickets to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament!

JUST ADDED! After the race, all kids 12 and under are invited to join us for a 400 meter Kids Dash (Kids must register to participate.) And, of course, after the race and dash, head over to the Museum for the opening of the new exhibit, Animal Secrets, and complimentary snacks from Cabot Cheese, Go Go Squeeze, Honest Tea, Popchips, and Swirlz Cupcakes.

To register, click on the image below or visit http://www.naturemuseum.org

Pampers and Babies R Us Plus a Reader #Giveaway!

Every mom knows that the key to a happy baby (and a happy mommy) is a great diaper.  A diaper that locks out leaks, keeps baby dry and is soft and comfortable.  Babies “R”Us,the nation’s premier baby products retailer, now carries Pampers Swaddlers in Sizes 4 and 5.  Pampers Swaddlers is the #1 choice of hospitals and a trusted favorite of many new moms.

In addition to expanding Pampers Swaddlers to Sizes 4 and 5, Pampers has been making other improvements to their trusted diapers to help keep moms happy and their babies dry.  Besides being their softest diaper yet, Pampers Swaddlers now feature an absorb-away lining, wetness indicator and new packaging and graphics. Other improvements such as new cuff material and absorbency speed have been made to Cruisers and Baby Dry.

Ask any mom with a baby what she really wants and the number one answer will probably be an uninterrupted night's sleep.  As a matter of fact Pampers recently sponsored a survey of over 1,000 moms with little ones ages 3 and under. The survey found that nearly 1 in 3 mothers of babies age 1 or younger (30%) responded that they expect a wet, leaky diaper to be the #1 reason their babies may wake up at 3 a.m.  Pampers Baby Dry is up to three times drier than ordinary diapers and provides up to 12 hours of overnight protection and three layers of absorbency

To learn more about all the new Pampers diapers innovations and see video demonstrations visit Babies R Us You can find all these Pampers products, and everything you need for your Baby’s Milestones, at Babies”R”Us.

From September 19-21 Babies”R”Us customers will receive a free $20 Babies“R”Us Gift Card with an in-store purchase of any two Pampers value boxes of diapers (78 ct. or higher.)  This offer is valid at both Babies"R"Us and Toys"R"Us stores.

GIVEAWAY

One of my lucky readers will win an awesome prize pack from Pampers and Babies R Us, the prize includes

• Pampers Wipes (64 count)
• $50 Babies”R”Us Gift Card (good at Toys"R"Us also)

All you need to enter is follow the directions on the Rafflecopter widget below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I received a prize identical to the giveaway prize, all opinions are my own.

Don't Miss Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp and Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl Going on NOW!

Endless Shrimp is happening right now August 12 – September 29

For the 12th year, guests can again pick from four flavorful shrimp entrees, plus unlimited salad and Red Lobster’s famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits.  Satisfy your shrimp craving with endless plates of your favorite shrimp dishes, or mix-and-match to try them all for just $15.99.  Options include: ·

New! Spicy Soy-Wasabi Grilled Shrimp ·
Hand- Breaded Shrimp ·
Garlic Shrimp Scampi ·
Shrimp Linguini Alfredo

Olive Garden’s Never Ending Pasta Bowl XVIII (August 5 – September 29)

Back for its 18th year, Never Ending Pasta Bowl allows guests to create their favorite unlimited combinations from a list of seven pastas and six sauces, plus soup or salad and breadsticks, all for only $9.99. Options include: ·

Sauce: New! Asiago Garlic Alfredo, New! Sausage Pomodoro, Marinara, Five Cheese Marinara, Alfredo, Meat Sauce ·

Pasta: New! Cavatappi Corkscrew, Spaghetti, Whole Wheat Linguine, Linguine, Fettuccine, Penne, Angel Hair ·

Even more: For only $2.99, guests can add the New! Chicken Fritta, Meatballs or Italian Sausage

5 Tips to Energize Late-Season Gardens from Costa Farms®

As summer comes to close, gardeners across the country are delighting in every blossom before the change in seasons.  Fortunately, homeowners can plant now to ensure another burst of color in the garden before the trees turn color and the mums come out.  "Even though we're in early September, you can invigorate your yard," advises Doug Jimerson, a garden editor and expert from Costa Farms.  Below, Jimerson recommends the best way to integrate late-summer and fall color into gardens.

Late-Blooming Perennials Add Color

As fall approaches, plant late-blooming perennials now to help carry the color show into the next season. Jimerson picks his favorite perennials for September bloom:

New England aster
Sedum
Russian sage
Hyssop
Black-eyed Susan
Daylily
Butterfly bush
Phlox

Ornamental Grasses Add Structure

"Ornamental grasses are ideal candidates for late-season planting,"  Jimerson says.  These tough beauties are at their best at this time of year.  They bloom with spectacular flower spikes that stand all season long for winter interest. Some top grasses to plant now include:

Switch grass
Fountain grass
Muhly grass
Maiden grass

Groundcovers Solve Problems

Perk up a hard-to-plant location with groundcovers.  These low-growing charmers are a snap to grow, and, over time, spread and beautify barren areas of your yard.  For quick-coverage results, plant groundcovers 6 to 10 inches apart.  Jimerson recommends the following groundcovers:

Hens-and-chicks
Creeping phlox
Creeping sedum
Ice plant
Mondo grass

Plan for Your Location

Before purchasing any plant, read the label first to ensure you can accommodate it.  Sun lovers prefer a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.  If there's less light than that, consider perennials that prefer or tolerate partial sun.

Water, Mulch, and Enjoy

Once the perennials are in the ground, water them every few days -- especially if the weather is hot and dry. Also, spread a thick mulch of shredded bark around the base of the new plants to cut back on weeds and help the soil hold moisture better while they adjust to their new home.  Now revel in the final days and colors of summer.

For more information, please visit www.costafarms.com

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL is Going to the Dogs, TODAY!!

On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Arboretum opens its doors to dogs and their owners!

For the first time, man’s best friend is taking over The Morton Arboretum. On Saturday, September 14, the Arboretum’s Tails on the Trails event invites dog owners to hike and explore the Arboretum’s grounds with their canine companions.  Enjoy a “paw”fect day out with your pet as you meander down the Arboretum’s 16 miles of hiking trails.  Then, check out canine demonstrations, dog adoption agencies, shelters and local vendors by Meadow Lake from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.  

“Many of our members and visitors have asked about the possibility of bringing dogs to the Arboretum, and we look forward to giving owners and their four-legged friends the opportunity to spend a day together in the great outdoors,” says Jenelle Hardtke, special events manager.

The cost is $5 per dog and regular admission fees for owners. Each dog will receive an Arboretum bandana with paid admission. A portion of the proceeds will go to local animal shelters.  All dogs must be current with vaccinations, be social with other dogs and be kept on a leash at all times while on the Arboretum property. Dogs will not be allowed inside of buildings, the Children’s Garden or the Maze Garden.

About The Morton Arboretum The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized outdoor tree museum on 1,700 acres. Plant collections, scientific research and education programs support the mission to plant and conserve trees and other plants for a greener, healthier and more beautiful world.  Designed with natural landscapes, the grounds include the award-winning, four-acre interactive Children’s Garden, the one-acre Maze Garden, plus specialty gardens, 16 miles of trails and nine miles of roads. Visitor experiences include the open-air tram ride, guided walks, Arbor Day celebrations, concerts, art shows, Fall Color Festival, and special exhibits.  The Arboretum welcomes more than 800,000 visitors annually and serves 35,600 members. Located 25 miles west of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open daily 7 a.m. until sunset. Learn more at mortonarb.org. Admission Rate Nonmember admission rates to The Morton Arboretum are $12 for adults ages 18-64 ($8 on Wednesday), $11 for seniors ages 65 and over ($7 on Wednesday), $9 for children ages 2-17 ($6 on Wednesday) and free for children under age 2. Parking is free with admission.

$10 tickets to LEGOLAND Discovery Center #Chicago‏

Visit LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago weekdays Monday - Friday, through October 11th, for just $10 per person!  That's a 50% saving off the standard admission price, and kids under 3 are FREE.   The great thing about visiting LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago midweek is that you miss the weekend crowds - that means there are even more LEGO bricks available for you to play with!  These special rate $10 tickets are limited to 100 each day, so book yours now before they sell out!  My kids love spending HOURS playing there and it does get busy on the weekends.  This would be a fun after school play day.

Take advantage of this great deal by visiting their website and booking your tickets HERE.  

Chasing Fireflies is Your One Stop Shop for Back to School #ChasingFireflies

I love back to school shopping, I think its a great way to get your child excited about heading back to the classroom.  I know school is for learning but its also for fun, so send your kids back with all of their favorite school must haves!

Chasing Fireflies is a great place to get fun back to school items that your child will LOVE! Everything from backpacks to Chuck Taylors and most items can be personalized with your child's name.

We got a chance to review this amazing Marvel backpack, perfect for anyone who loves super heros or comic books.  It has plenty of pockets and even a place for a laptop.  The inside is grey but also printed with the comic book look.  This is a great quality backpack that will last through the school year and even longer.

We also received this sweet lunch box.  My kids go through lunchboxes like you would not believe, they lose them, break them, etc.  so I like to have a few on hand.  This one is so cute so durable.  Its sure to withstand any kid.  This lunchbox can be personalized with initials which is awesome too since we already have to label everything the kids take to school.

Some of my other favorite items on Chasing Fireflies are the personalized Chuck Taylors, I love this classic shoe!

These are available is baby and youth sizes up to size 3 and can be personalized with a name and either a star or a heart.

I also love the Confetti Spikes backpack.  This was my second choice after the Marvel backpack, it is so much fun.

It reminds me of a dinosaur!  This is really a unique backpack that your child will love taking to school.  They are available in two sizes as well as a lunch pack size.

If you want to check out everything Chasing Fireflies has to offer for back to school, you can visit them by clicking HERE.

Bloggers Wanted!

It’s Halloween Event

Organized by: Mom Powered Media

Grand Prize: $500 K-Mart Gift Card

Event dates: 10/14 - 10/28

Open to US

Referral prize: $50 Amazon E-Code or Paypal Cash

Bloggers: Sign Up HERE

Meijer Back to School #Sweepstakes!

I love back to school time, it feels good to be back to our regular routine and there is so much less bickering between the kids.  It feels good to know my kids are back to learning!  Meijer is celebrating back to school in the bst possible way, by having an awesome Sweepstakes.  They are inviting shoppers to post a photo that shows their kids' unique talents and interests in becoming the next great valedictorian, athlete, humanitarian chef, etc., for the chance to win a $100 Meijer gift card (25 will be awarded). The "Most Likely To..." photo sweepstakes is running right now and ends on September 8th so hurry and enter today!

HOW TO ENTER

Simply visit Meijer Most Likely To and submit a photo showing what your child is most likely to be when he/she grows up.

But hurry contest ends on  September 8th!!

*This is a sponsored post, all opinions are my own