Danielle - Busy Moms Helper

15 Satisfying Chocolate Desserts

May 18, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

It’s absolutely no secret that I’m a huge lover of chocolate recipes. My kids even tease me sometimes like ‘uh-oh mom, there’s chocolate!’ They know I can hardly resist the deliciousness. If you’re like me, then you’ll be a fan of these 15 Satisfying Chocolate Desserts – they’re sure to help that sweet tooth craving, and be a hit at parties, family gatherings, or just for a late night dessert! Don’t worry, I won’t tattle if you don’t share 😉

Maybe you’ll start with the chocolate lasagna or no bake bars, or perhaps you’re curious about the chocolate dessert soup. I sure am! From pretzels to pudding, cake and more, there’s a great variety for any chocolate lover in your family!

1. Chocolate Lasagna – Amanda’s Cookin’

2. How to Make a Chocolate Dessert Pizza – Chocolate Covered Katie

3. Triple Chocolate Frozen Dessert – Tastes of Lizzy T

4. Mint Chocolate Dessert Soup – Love and Olive Oil

5. No Bake Chocolate Lasagna – I Heart Naptime

6. No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Dessert – The Kitchen is My Playground

7. Cherry Cheesecake Chocolate Dessert Pizza – Shaken Together Life

8. Mini Baileys Chocolate Cheesecake Trifles – Life Love and Sugar

9. Chocolate Dipped Dessert Pretzels – A Beautiful Mess

10. Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars – Averie Cooks

11. No Bake Reese’s Peanut Butter Bars

12. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Truffles – Sugar Hero

13. Bittersweet Chocolate Budino – Love and Olive Oil

14. No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake – One Little Project

15. Chocolate Avocado Pudding – The Pretty Bee

What’s your favorite chocolate dessert?

Solo: A Star Wars Story (The Past of a Scoundrel)

May 16, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

The Star Wars movies were a huge part of my childhood – growing up, Sunday afternoons were for watching movies with my dad, and this series was a repeated hit. I have no trouble admitting that my childhood crush was Han Solo – handsome, adventurous, and a good guy deep down. While we got to know Han, Leia and Luke very well during the films and later learned much more about the origins of the twins, we had very little clue at all as to Han’s past. All that’s different with the newest film Solo: A Star Wars Story – and we finally learn more about the past of a scoundrel that we all adore!

Have you ever wondered how Han and Chewbacca met? The history behind Lando and Han having differing opinions as to who really owns the Millennium Falcon? Or how they got into the life of smuggling and debts? There’s so many stories I considered when growing up and watching my childhood hero as to these answers – but I’ll freely say that NONE of them were as amazing as what we learned in this newest Star Wars movie!

Don’t worry, I’m certainly not going to do any spoilers – amazing films like this MUST be seen and experienced for yourself, otherwise some of the amazement is gone. Here’s a few things that were downright exceptional, in my opinion, and more reason you need to go see this ASAP (it hits theaters May 25th)!

First of all, you KNOW there’s going to be epic flight scenes – zooming through space, dodging obstacles and/or enemies, racing to beat the clock. The original Star Wars movies were incredible – so with today’s technology it’s even BETTER and some spots were just jaw-dropping with the graphics.

All of the most recent films have had a droid that we couldn’t help but love – and added so much to the humor and personality of the cast, such as BB-8 and Kaytoo (Rogue One). Solo: A Star Wars Story is no exception, bringing L3-37 into our lives and keeping us rooting for this feisty, no-filter lady!

You not only get to learn more of the history of Han Solo, but other favorites like Lando Calrissian – the ever-flirtatious, confident and sometimes mischievous ‘friend’ who’s just as handsome and charismatic as ever!

The Millenium Falcon is one of the most well-known ships in movie history, and we get to learn more about this beautiful and powerful lady during the Solo film. Of any ship of any movie I’ve seen, this one is my absolute favorite!

The cast for the movie was phenomenal – bringing some more popular names mixed in with some newcomers who blew us away. Of all of these, though, I have to say that Paul Bettany was the most shocking to me – I know him best from his role as Vision in Avengers (or the voice of Jarvis previous to that), or as a clever-with-words fellow in A Knights Tale. In Solo, however, he’s a powerful and feared Dryden Vas, crime lord of the group known as Crimson Dawn. I thought it’d be difficult seeing him as a ‘bad guy’, but oh my word he did INCREDIBLE!

Adventure is a necessity in Star Wars films, and Solo’s movie doesn’t disappoint. From crazy plots, to betrayal, to impossible tasks and more, you’ll be gripping your seat to learn how things do or don’t work out!

There’s tons of things included in Solo: A Star Wars Movie that make you go ‘oh my gosh, did you hear that’ – because it’s the basis for other things in the ‘future’ films! I couldn’t help but clap like a little kid at a few lines because it was like my childhood all over again!

Your emotions will be played with, as Han and Chewie form relationships and trust – whether good or bad – throughout their adventure. They each started out with a specific goal, but how will things work out when everything seems to be going against them?

I can’t wait to go see Solo in theaters again to catch any other details I may have missed, and to experience this incredible movie all over again. It makes me feel like my childhood is getting some explanations that I didn’t even know it was missing from those years of watching Star Wars with my dad. And I’ll admit, I *still* have a crush on Han Solo 😉

Who is/was YOUR favorite Star Wars character?

75+ Summer Activities

May 15, 2018 by Danielle 2 Comments

With summer vacation fast approaching, I’m starting to build myself a little ‘arsenal’ of ideas for those days when we need something just a bit more. These 75+ Summer Activities for Kids or Families will definitely come in handy those times when the kids want a change, and even Mom and Dad like a little more excitement! Also check out our list of 75+ MORE Summer Activities.

DIY Laptop for Kids

Ice Excavation from Hands on as We Grow

Giant Bubbles from Tatertots & Jello

PVC Pipe Sprinkler Set from The Idea Room

DIY Tic Tac Toe Game from Tatertots & Jello

Glow in the Dark Bowling from My Kids Adventures

Sponge Balls from One Charming Party

Squirt Gun Races from This Grandma is Fun

Sprinkler Bottles from Housing a Forest

Ice Boats from Reading Confetti

DIY Water Wall from Tinker Lab

Water Blog from We-Made-That

Water Relay Race from Party Peacock

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk Paint from Passion for Savings

Simple DIY Tent from Daisy Mae Belle

Backyard Movie Night from Ellie Petrov

Over TWENTY fun summer games from A Girl and a Gluegun

Make Popsicles – over 30 Popsicles Recipes form Craftaholics Anonymous

30 Summer Science Activities for Kids from Growing a Jeweled Rose

Kinetic Sand from Kids Activities Blog

DIY Rope Bridge from Let The Children Play

DIY Sandy Handprint from Crafting a Green World

Painted Sand Castles from Sandy Toes and Popsicles

Giant Angry Birds Star Wars Game from Honey-Mommy

Build a Bug House from Classic Play

Water Obstacle Course from Meaningful Mama

DIY Travel Coloring Tote

Mason Jar Aquarium from Hello Wonderful

10 East Science Experiments from Mom.me

12 Genius Outdoor Ideas for Kids from Crafty Morning

DIY Paper Leaf

May 14, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

My kids love taking paper and creating things with them – from ‘houses’, to figurines, fun shapes and more. The great thing about it is that you can mix up the colors and sizes to really create a ton of possibilities. This fun DIY Paper Leaf Craft for Kids is perfect, and they can use it to decorate, play, or just for working those fine motor skills!

We did something slightly similar when we shared a DIY Paper Flower craft, and this is just as easy to follow and flexible. You can even try it with some cool textured paper to really make the leaves unique! You only need a few quick supplies, then you’re all set to start your own paper leaf project.

Supplies

Colored Craft Paper
Scissors
Craft Glue

Directions

Select a colored craft paper and cut it into a square. Fold the paper into half to mark the mid line. Unfold the half fold again.
Fold the paper from any one side to meet the mid line. Fold the other side to meet the mid line as well.
Again, fold the paper into half lengthwise.
Create a small diagonal fold at any one open end corner.
Start making small and even folds diagonally by keeping the folds aligned with the first diagonal fold. Try keeping the folds even.
Continue to create small diagonal folds until reaching the other end of the paper.
Unfold the last lengthwise fold made in step 3.
Squeeze and twist the bottom end of the folded paper to create the stem of the leaf. Apply glue to secure the twist.
Now apply glue along the top widest fold of the folded paper.
After applying the glue join the widest top folds to form the basic leaf shape.
There will be a small part of the top folds pointing outwards at the backside of the leaf, use scissors to cut off that extra part.

Don’t be intimidated by so many steps – they’re each very simple and quick, we just spread them out to make it even easier to follow! I’m thinking to make a bunch of these are around fall, as well, then having the kids create ‘trees’ using fallen branches. So fun!

What could you use a colorful paper leaf for?

Considering a Pool Fence for Safety?

May 11, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

One of the biggest things we wanted to take care of as soon as we moved into our new house was to install a pool fence. Once we chose which house we would be buying, knowing it had a pool (I admit it, it was a huge selling point for our family!), we took to the internet to find which option would be the best for us. I was surprised at how many different companies and types are available! We finally found the one that would work best for our family, and today I’m telling you all about our experience in case you’re also considering a pool fence for safety.

Just a note – we did NOT receive any compensation, discounts, anything at all in exchange for this post. Protect-A-Child doesn’t even know I’m writing this!

First of all, you need to decide what your main reason for having a pool fence is. For looks? To just keep out neighbor kids who may find their way into your yard? Large pets? Or do you have children that you want to keep safe from the potential dangers of a pool? Ours was the kids and pets, but I will say that I also wanted something that looked good, as well. Nobody wants an eyesore around their fabulous pool, right?

Some of the fences we looked at were more flimsy – if pushed hard enough by a large kid or animal, it could knock over and/or break. That definitely wasn’t what we wanted! We also found some that would work amazing – for a few years – but then would wear out or become too old to be sturdy. Finally we found one that would LAST a long while (they offer a limited lifetime warranty) and was extremely durable – Protect-A-Child!

The poles they use are semi-bendable, making them extremely unlikely to snap. When looking at them myself, the fabulous Greg (who was showing us the system) even had me TRY to put all my weight on it – but it moved just slightly. He even tried with his weight, and just a little give. Not enough to bend it over much, but just enough give to make it durable. My kids – and even my big, heavy dogs – aren’t going to be knocking these over or breaking them!

They’re inserted into holes in the cement (they drill the holes for you), and latched into place. You CAN remove them by giving the pole a certain twist and pulling it out. Not something a child could do themselves, but adults can if you’re in the mood to remove the fence – such as a pool party! For when you do want the poles out, they give you little caps to cover the cement holes – so water or other junk doesn’t get in there.

Each panel is about 3′ wide (can be cut shorter if the size demands, such as with our steps), and they’re connected at the top by a secure fastener that takes two strong hands to unhook.

Again, not something a kid can do. The mesh is sturdy, and doesn’t give when our heavy dogs lean or brush against it.

It comes in several colors, but I preferred the black option – Greg said most people like that one best, too. You can choose 3.5 foot or 4 foot. We originally were going to get the taller one just for extra safety, but after reading more and experience first-hand how secure and sturdy it was, we stuck with the 3.5 foot option. It looks much better, anyway! And don’t worry if you have steps or angles – they cut them to fit 🙂

The gate automatically closes and latches. To open, you pull up the handle and pull the gate open. There is a key lock as well, so you can really make it safe as needed.

They’ll come out and do a demo for you – really fast and simple. You get to see the poles, latches, netting, everything. They measure the area and discuss your options, then give you a no-obligation quote. After our demo, we talked a bit and decided to go with Protect-A-Child, so we gave Greg a call and scheduled out installation date. I was so impressed with the techs that came and did our installation, as well. Very professional, and much faster than I expected!

They measured everything out, making sure to check where/how we wanted the fence line. Then they go to work drilling the holes, measuring/cutting/sizing the panels, and getting it all put in. After they were done, they made sure I knew how everything worked – the gate, taking out/putting in the poles, unhooking the top latches, etc. They gave me the warranty papers and the invoice, I paid, and that was it!

Greg called later to make sure everything went well, and to let me know to call if anything needs adjusting (the gate may settle after a bit, then they come and adjust it really quick for you as needed). It was a super easy process, and more affordable than I expected! For our fence, we paid $16 per foot, plus the gate was $325 and then it was $25 for the lock-in feature (a no brainer, in my opinion). For our 102-feet of fencing, our total after tax was $2145.51. That’s INSTALLED, so no extra or hidden fees.

We LOVE our fence – not only does it look great, but we don’t have to worry about the dogs or the kids accidentally getting into the pool or some other potential danger like that. That piece of mind really makes me one happy mama!

Delicious Cinnamon Desserts

May 9, 2018 by Danielle 2 Comments

I wasn’t too fond of the taste of cinnamon when I was younger – not sure why, but it just wasn’t a big hit with me. I remember one day when I was in college my roommate sprinkled some on a smoothie and convinced me to give it a chance, and I totally loved it! I don’t know what changed, but now I really enjoy the flavor of cinnamon and what it adds to so many great recipes! If you’re like me and like cinnamon – here’s a list of Delicious Cinnamon Desserts to try!

Everything from cheesecakes to cinnamon rolls (of course), even truffles and muffins! There’s plenty of variety, so pick your favorite and give it a whirl – it may end up being your absolute favorite cinnamon dessert recipe yet 🙂

1. Cinnamon Apple Icebox Cake – Inside Bru Crew Life

2. Cinnamon Toast Bars – Barefeet In the Kitchen

3. Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake – Tastes of Lizzy T

4. White Chocolate Cinnamon Truffles – Lolly Jane

5. Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mug Cake – Bitz N Giggles

6. No Bake Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cheesecake Bites – Shared Appetite

7. Cinnamon Roll Crumb Cake – Love Bakes Good Cakes

8. Cinnabons Cinnamon Rolls – Jo Cooks

9. Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread – I Heart Naptime

10. Cereal Milk Cinnamon Rolls – Studio DIY

11. Easy Peach Cobbler Cinnamon Coffee Cake – The Frugal Navy Wife

12. Cinnamon Roll Breakfast Cake – Kitchen Nostalgia

13. Semi-Homemade Skillet Cinnamon Rolls – A Cultivated Nest

14. Cinnamon Sugar Cheesecake Bars – Princess Pinky Girl

15. Chocolate Chip Muffins With Cinnamon and Nutmeg – Homemade Hooplah

How to Battle Daily Stress

May 8, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

As a busy mom (or dad) you have to wear a lot of hats. You’re juggling a lot of things at once, and the stress from all of these responsibilities can really start to add up over time. I’m already a pretty high-stress person, so when you add in the dozens of responsibilities I have to take on daily, it can be extremely overwhelming. Here’s some tips I’ve learned on how to battle daily stress – because we can’t run on ‘flight or fight’ forever!

Obviously, it’s important that we make time every day to help wind down from the stress of the day, lest it become too much. We don’t always have that option, but we can TRY to fit in even a few minutes to help us breathe and recover. Let’s take a look at a few ways to battle daily stress:

1. Unplug – Sometimes we just need to get away from it all. No electronics, no phones or social media, and no news. It can really help you unwind and relax after a very stressful day. Sometimes these things can push you over the edge even on a normal day, so unplugging is good for you. When hubby and I went on our big anniversary trip last year, it was the most relaxed I’ve ever been. We didn’t completely unwind, but compared to our normal days, it was a big difference!

2. Take a bath – A nice warm bath with bubbles or your favorite bath bomb can be just the right thing to help you relax at the end of a stressful day.

3. Get enough sleep – It may seem difficult when there is already so much to do but getting enough sleep each night will help you complete all of those tasks on your to-do list while also keeping your stress levels down. Never underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep – or a nap!

4. Laugh often – Laughter really is good for the soul and when you can laugh some every day, you help release stress and it creates positive vibes that you will carry with you throughout the day. I’m so grateful that my hubby and kids keep me laughing every day, because sometimes that’s the only thing that helps me not get overwhelmed.

5. Talk to someone – Venting your frustrations, catching up with an old friend, or talking to your partner about your days are all ways to help battle daily stress. Don’t feel you need to just stay quiet and hold it all in. We’re meant to get through life TOGETHER, not alone.

What are your best tips to battle daily stress?

Scone Recipes for Busy Moms

May 3, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Weekends are the time when we have the ‘better’ breakfast recipes – mostly because we have more time. Whether you’re looking for something new to try for your Saturday, or an easy-yet-delicious option for a weekday morning, these Scone Recipes for Busy Moms are sure to please!

I love a good scone recipe, but use to just think of honey or jam to go with them. Now that we’ve branched out more with our search for a wider breakfast variety, I’m a HUGE fan because there’s so many to choose from! Hubby is all over the pumpkin scones (of course) while I can’t wait to try the chocolate chip cream cheese ones. I know the chocolate chunk orange scones would be a big hit with the kiddos – so there’s something for everyone in this list of great scone recipes for busy moms!

1. Raspberry Scone Cookies – Barefeet in the Kitchen

2. Pumpkin Scones with Spiced Glaze – Brown Eyed Baker

3. My Favorite Blueberry Scones – Sally’s Baking Addiction

4. Maple Glazed Gingerbread Scones – Pinch of Yum

5. Chocolate Chunk Orange Scones – Cookies and Cups

6. Clean Mocha Chocolate Chip Scones – Amy’s Healthy Baking

7. Lemon Buttermilk Scones With Lemon Glaze – Jo Cooks

8. Caramel Apple Scones – Recipe Girl

9. Ginger Persimmon Scone Muffins – Love and Olive Oil

10. Vegan Banana Nut Scones – Cookie + Kate

11. Mint Chip Scones – Crazy For Crust

12. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Scones – Chelsea’s Messy Apron

13. Caramel Apple Cinnamon Scones – Sally’s Baking addiction

14. Dairy Free Berry Vanilla Scones – Fashionable Foods

15. Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Scones – Cookies & Cups

Household Safety Concern I Didn’t Know About

May 1, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by Window Covering Safety Council as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. #CordlessForKids #IC

As parents, it’s our main job to keep our family safe the best we can. Having helped my mom with her in-home daycare for many years, I already knew of many potential dangers when I became a mom. There’s still some that I didn’t learn about until later, though, and have had to adjust to keep my kids as safe as possible. One Household Safety Concern I Didn’t Know About until after having kids was cords on blinds – that was a big change we had to make!

It’s so easy to take care of the ‘larger’, more apparent items in your home when you have kids – baby gates on the stairs, outlet covers, knives put up high, those ‘kid leashes’ to help avoid getting lost or run away, etc. There’s a TON when you start to list them out! Until a few years into parenthood, I didn’t even think of the danger posed by corded blinds, and we all know that kids + cords do NOT mix!

Sadly, there’s plenty of stories out there of children who accidentally were strangled by random hanging items – be it cords, belts or similar. This is why it’s super important to use cordless window coverings and blinds in homes with young kids OR to use ones that have the cords inaccessible. I’d even go as far as to say that if you don’t have kids but do have pets, make sure either the cords are high enough your furry little ones don’t get tangled accidentally while playing or that you go with the cordless/inaccessible cords.

PSA: Only Use Cordless Window Coverings with Young Children from Window Covering Safety Council on Vimeo.

This is our first full week in our ‘new’ house – and it’s the first house we’ve owned that wasn’t actually NEW which meant we didn’t get to pick out the blinds ourselves to ensure they were safe. We’re learning all sorts household safety concerns with a 20-year-old house versus a newly built one, a big one being we need to check all the blinds, shades and window covers for cords.

Older window products with cords were a lot more common in the past, so I already am planning to switch some of the older corded ones with today’s safer products ASAP. If you’re not sure which items are the safer choice, just keep an eye out for the Best for Kids™ certification label while shopping in stores or online – it makes it simple to identify which products are the better choice for homes with young children.

Of course, there’s some household ‘dangers’ that we can’t always protect our kiddos from – such as that naptime they try so hard to put off!

Whether you’re also moving into a ‘new’ house, or just like refreshing your home for Springtime, it’s a great time to take some safety precautions that may be overlooked during the busy-ness of the rest of the year. You can even check out the Window Covering Safety Council on Facebook for more info to help you get your household safety concerns put to rest.

What household safety concerns were your biggest surprise?

When You’re Living Between Moves

April 30, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

We received a complimentary stay to facilitate this post. All opinions are mine alone. #myESA

As many of you know, the past two months have been a chaotic mess of moving from one house in a hurry, finding a new house at the last minute because our original pick fell through, then having almost a week when we were between houses before we could move in. So what do you do when you’re living between moves? Find a fantastic home-away-from-home, of course!

Seriously, I never want to deal with all the rushed packing and storage, extreme late nights to get it all done in time, or the emotional toll this has been on is. That being said, last week when we were between houses went much more smoothly than I could have imagined being temporarily homeless! Luckily, we were able to get a 2-bedroom suite at a local Extended Stay America that worked perfectly for our big family!

The kids weren’t quite sure at first about staying at a hotel for that long while still doing school, but as soon as we came in they LOVED it and were really excited. The great thing about an Extended Stay America is that the rooms come with kitchens, so you can still make meals as needed. This was perfect for the early morning breakfasts before school, then making the kids a tasty dinner after all the kids’ activities. It was also a great benefit because we had a place to store our fridge items while our own fridge was in storage!

We didn’t have to bring our own dishes, as they supplied what we needed – just let them know, and the friendly desk staff will help you out. One bathroom was a little weird for our family of 7, but it worked out fine for the week. It was a good size, plus had plenty of storage for our stuff. They had no problem supplying all the towels we needed, either.

The front room had TWO queen/full sized sofa beds, which our girls enjoyed. Keeping them separate form their brothers was a definite sanity-saver, since they’re ‘too cool’ to share with their younger siblings apparently! They fold up nice and easy, leaving it a great family room with little table and TV.

Behind that was a table that made it great for me working during the day – blogging never sleeps, after all! The free wi-fi was a blessing, and during the day the speed was just fine.

To store their stuff was a linen closet in the hall as well…

The smaller of the bedrooms, which the 3 boys shared, was to the side and had a closet that fit all their stuff.

The master room was in the back of the hallway, with a comfy bed and TV. The closet was surprisingly HUGE, which was perfect as we did have several pieces of luggage and other things we didn’t want in storage while we between houses.

The little bonuses made a huge difference while between moves…

Such as the goodies on the bed, plus a welcome card…

…and soaps, shampoo and dish detergent to make your stay feel right at home.

For how hectic the past several weeks have been, I’m so grateful that our time at Extended Stay America while between moves took some of the stress and chaos off of our family. It was like a wonderful mini vacation between everything, and helped us all unwind, relax and enjoy our time a bit more!

How do you deal with being between moves?

Speechless about Avengers Infinity War

April 26, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

It’s all been building up to this – the past TEN YEARS of awesome Marvel films featuring our favorite superheroes have all been leading to this one big film: Avengers Infinity War. Needless to say, hubby and I have been eagerly awaiting it’s release for YEARS, but nothing could have prepared us for this wild ride. I’ve never had a more challenging time writing about a film – especially a superhero one – than I am now because I’m practically SPEECHLESS about Infinity War!

It doesn’t matter who you enjoyed seeing the most the past decade – whether it was the classic Avengers, Thor and Loki, Black Panther, Spiderman or the Guardians of the Galaxy – because they all come together for this massively EPIC roller coaster of a battle. From the far reaches of space, to the city streets, to Wakanda, everyone must do their part for any hope to save half of all life in the galaxy.

Y’all know I don’t want to give out any spoilers – I’m a firm believer in seeing it for yourself. And even if not, I’m confident that no matter how much I told you, it would still be an extreme shock to your system once you watch the film! So to avoid spoilers, let me just tell you why Avengers Infinity War is not only the greatest movie ever made (in my own, personal opinion), but why it’s in a league all it’s own and practical requires you to see it more than once!

The Villain You’ve Always Wanted

Thanos is FINALLY making his appearance, and let me assure you he does not disappoint all the hype and build up the past several years. He puts the other villains to shame with his power, will, determination, intelligence and more. Not only that, but as you go through the story with him, you see things a different way. Is he evil? Is he just willing to do what must be done for the better of the universe? I’ll let you decide that for yourself…

Oh, and if you’ve never seen any villain THROW A MOON, you’ll love this awesomeness 🙂

An Emotional Ride You May Not Be Ready For

You’ll laugh the whole way through (this is a Marvel film, after all). You’ll most likely cry – possibly the whole way through. You’ll be trying to solve problems or seek answers to questions. There’s so much your brain and emotions will be going through from the first moments (I kid you not – do NOT be late to this movie!) all the way until the after credits scene, that your brain may even feel a little funny afterwards.

You’ll Leave Feeling Different

The whole walk to our vehicle after the movie, then the entire drive home – and even the next day – hubby and I just kept saying things like ‘I just….I have no idea!’ You will feel different – unsure, curious, excited, sad, angry, happy, incomplete, and so many other emotions you may not even be able to label. I’ve NEVER had a movie put me through so much in less than 3 hours – and especially not in a way that lasts long after the movie is done!

You Won’t Expect What’s to Come

If you’re like most everyone else, you’ll be trying to figure it all out along the way. No matter what you guess, no matter how you think it’ll end – you’re likely wrong. It will blow you away! Again – I don’t want to ruin anything for you – but trust me that you won’t know what hit you, even at the finale!

The Visuals are Astounding

So there’s the incredible, one-of-a-kind storyline, great cast, hilarious content and surprises all along the way – but Avengers Infinity War also has amazing visual effects. Fight scenes, insane battles, powerful demonstrations, tricky magic, sweet moments, and so much more is done so well that you feel like you’re right there through it all. It makes me truly grateful for the technology we have today, making the stunning sights in this movie possible!

Even now, as I’m trying to put my exact thoughts and emotions into words to share with you, it’s nearly impossible. There’s just SO MUCH! I do know this, though – no film has ever made me go through so many emotions or thoughts, and I’ve never enjoyed any movie as much as I did Infinity War. I cannot WAIT until next year for the next installment of Infinity War (name yet to be released – eeeeek, so excited!) to see the fate of not only some of our favorite heroes, but also the universe!

Go see Avengers Infinity War NOW – even two or three times!

One Pot Cooking: a Busy Mom’s Best Friend!

April 25, 2018 by Danielle Leave a Comment

Thank you to Craftsy for sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.

We all know that life’s full of to-dos, especially for us parents. Luckily, having a healthy, delicious & EASY meal for our family is possible with One Pot Cooking (it’s a busy mom’s best friend!). And if you’re not quite sure how to get started with this amazing life hack for cooking, be sure to check out Chef Ryan Scott’s 10-part series to get you all set to make one pot cooking a helpful part of your life!

It’s absolutely no secret that I completely LOVE one pot meals – whether it’s my slow cooker, pot or sheet pan – because it’s often the only way my family will get a full meal that’s tasty and healthy with my crazy schedule. As I write this, I can smell the amazing seasoned pork with potatoes I have cooking in my slow cooker right on the counter in our hotel room, and am grateful for such a great invention 🙂

Some of us have been relying on one pot cooking for years and consider ourselves pros (for the record, I’m definitely not a pro yet!), while others aren’t quite sure how to make anything really great without some guidance. If you’re in the latter group, you’ll be thrilled to hear that Craftsy and TODAY Food have launched a new digital cooking series called “One Pot Cooking” featuring Ryan Scott, an Emmy-award winning chef, as well as NBC News weather anchor Dylan Dreyer. This online class is a LIFESAVER for us busy moms!

What is this “One Pot Cooking” series, you ask?

It’s a 10-part series (online, making it super convenient) that offers a fresh perspective to making healthy and delicious one pot meals. That means ONE cooking piece – from slow cooker (my personal fav), to frying pan, to sheet pan and more. This is great, because it means you don’t get stuck with ONE style or way to do things!

Check out the trailer to see some of the tastiness in store:

Don’t you think chef Ryan Scott and Dylan are super fun?! And did you notice – it’s not JUST great dinners like lasagna or salmon, but there was also dessert (pineapple upside-down cake, anyone?) and I even saw what appears to be a french toast with fresh fruit. Yum!

I’m eager to check out “One Pot Cooking” and really take my easy meals to a whole new level! If you’re wanting to get a ‘taste’ for it, too, it’s available on Craftsy for a one-time fee of just $40 (for the whole 10-part series!).

Or if you’re a foodie who wants even more, you can sign up for Craftsy Unlimited, Craftsy’s video subscription service, and get a free trial of “One Pot Cooking” as well as unlimited PREMIUM access to thousands of hours of exclusive video tutorials and classes – and it’s just $14.99/month or $120 for an annual subscription (that comes out to just $10/month – wow!)

You can find more details on Craftsy.com and be sure to enjoy all the deliciousness and fun they have to offer!

Check out these other tips that chef Ryan Scott has for busy moms!

Q: What are your top five tips for moms on-the-go who want to make creative weeknight meals?

Have fun
Be creative!
Know how to use your kitchen staples
Utilize leftovers
Make sauces in batches that are universal and delicious

What are three kitchen must-haves for easy to make recipes?

Slow cookers are great
One pan meals are my favorite you. There are many vessels that can be used as your “one pan” from cast iron skillets, to roasting pans, to sheet pans, they all work for different uses!
A well stocked pantry is essential to making easy recipes. Use ingredients that are versatile and shelf friendly.

What can viewers expect from your “One-Pot Cooking” class on Craftsy?

My crash course on how to make the easiest MEALS. Yes full meals!

Can one-pot cooking also be healthy? If so, how?

Absolutely! I find people only consider one-pot meals as crock pots or slow cookers which is not true. A one pot meal is simply using one vessel to cook your food. Use good nutritional ingredients and don’t go crazy with unhealthy ingredients.