All the products/giveaways featured on this blog have been received and reviewed by myself, my husband and/or both of my girls. We have only received free products and have not received any monetary compensation and have not been paid in any way for my posting a review of their products as well. My opinions on this blog are not reflected in any way by any of the companies that have provided me with these products. I only receive products that I personally use and then write a review based on my usage. If you are a company that would love to have your products featured and reviewed on my blog or if you would like to sponsor a giveaway, please feel free to contact me at furygirl3132@comcast.net. I will give my readers fair and honest opinions and would love to help you promote your businesses and products. Thanks so much!
I like Going to movies once in a while, but there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of them out there lately that interests me. I like Hugh Jackman, so we'll have to go check this one out! I like Rocky and I like futuristic movies. i remember the first movie my husband and I went to was demolition man with sylvester stallone, that was a weird movie!
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Durand
Director: Shawn Levy
Producers: Don Murphy, Susan Montford, Shawn Levy
Executive Producers: Steven Spielberg, Jack Rapke, Robert Zemeckis, Steve Starkey, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen
Screenplay by: John Gatins
Story by: Dan Gilroy and Jeremy Leven
Based in part on the
short story “Steel” by: Richard Matheson
A action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech, “Real Steel” stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.
“Real Steel” is directed by Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum” franchise and “Date Night”).
“Real Steel” is about a former boxer (Hugh Jackman) who, against all odds, gets one last shot at a comeback when he teams up with his estranged son (Dakota Goyo) to build and train the perfect contender for the new high-tech sport of robot boxing.
I was recently asked to participate in a wonderful opportunity from Frito Lay called the Tastes From Home Recipe Contest. For me there are so many recipes that remind me of home. My grandmother was THE best cook and baker as I have often said on my blog so many times before, but being able to find one of her recipes or even duplicate it would be a tremendous task. She had her own way of doing things and quite honestly never wrote down or followed recipes very often. So, I thought long and hard about what recipe to feature here at Mommy2Twogirls for this unique opportunity and what I came up with was something very simple that everyone either has made at one point or definitely eaten in some capacity. My lasagna might not be any different than what you make, but my family loves it and my aunt is always asking me to make it for her. She raves that it is the only Italian dish that she can eat that doesn't give her heartburn, guess that is truly saying something. It reminds me of home because I go back to my roots, to the love and hard work that my grandmother put into each and every one of her dishes. The time and effort that she always took into making sure that everyone enjoyed her food, that's what I like to do with my lasagna. Every time I make it, I layer it different, or maybe add another ingredient, it's just never the same, yet it is always delicious.
Eloise's Homemade Cheesy Lasagna-
1 box of lasagna noodles (you can use any variety you like)
2 jars of Ragu Garden Combination Pasta Sauce (3 if you like it extra saucy)
1 container of lowfat small curd cottage cheese
1 small green bell pepper
1 small red bell pepper
1 small package of fresh mushrooms
1 roll of Bob Evans Italian Sausage
1 lb of ground beef, ground chuck, or ground sirloin (ground turkey works well too!)
1 8oz package of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 8oz package of Sargento 4 Cheese Italian Blend Shredded Cheese
1 8oz package of shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
a little chopped onion just for flavor in the meat
Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper to flavor the meat
Brown meat with seasonings and onion until done. You can combine the sausage and beef together or cook them separately. You may also add the peppers and mushrooms if you like them sauteed, I usually add the veggies in the layers. Cook your noodles and set them aside (or if you prefer to use the Oven Ready lasagna that is an options as well). Spray the bottom and signs of your casserole or baking dish (any size will work) so that everything doesn't stick. Layer as you wish, but for example I go with some sauce on the bottom, then a layer of noodles, then my sausage/beef mixture, some green and red peppers, then a package of cheese, sauce on top of that, then more noodles, mushrooms, cottage cheese, more sauce, more noodles, well..you get the point! Make sure to have a layer of noodles, sauce and top it with lots of cheese on the top before you put it in the oven so you get that golden brown crust on top when you take it out of the oven. Bake at 400 degrees for an hour to up to an hour and a half (make sure to have a cookie sheet underneath in case it runs over.) Serve with garlic bread, garlic sticks or ciabatta garlic rolls and a fresh tossed salad for a great meal!
The secret to making this lasagna taste so different and even more delicious is to make it the day before you cook it and leave it in the fridge overnight. All the flavors "marinate" overnight and the noodles soak in all of the sauce...it is amazing!
Frito Lay has introduced a new line of delicious Regional Flavors Potato Chips that look and sound divine! These chips were inspired by popular American regional cuisine and include:
*Northeastern US-Lay's Honey Mustard
*Midwestern US-Lay's Creamy Garden Ranch
*Northwestern US-Lay's Balsamic Sweet Onion
*Southwestern US-Lay's Chipotle Ranch
*Southeastern US-Lay's Cajun Herb & Spice
All of Lay's Regional Flavored Potato Chips are made with all natural ingredients and cooked in healthier oils, like corn and sunflower oils, which contain 80% or more of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat-"the good fats". They also contain 0 grams of trans fat per serving. There's also less sodium in them than you might think0a 1oz serving of Lay's Regional Flavored Potato Chips contains less salt than a plain bagel!
I would love to try the Creamy Garden Ranch flavor as I love ranch and garden makes me think there's some veggies in there somewhere..maybe?! Also the Balsamic Sweet Onion has got me a little curious, it sounds different yet delicious. Of course they all sound really good and quite honestly I would love to try them all!
How about you? Would you like a chance to try the Lay's Regional Flavors? Well lucky for you, I've got your chance!
Winner will be selected via Rafflecopter and will be emailed. You will have 48 hours from the time you are notified to respond or a new winner will be drawn. Open to US residents 18 and over ONLY! Special thanks to Frito Lay for sponsoring this giveaway. Frito Lay provided me with samples of the Regional Flavors chips and my blog post is an entry into the recipe contest. The prize is the responsibility of the sponsor and will be sent to the winner by the sponsor themselves.
Disclosure-I received no monetary compensation for this blog post. The words expressed are my own and not influenced in any way. I abide by all FTC rules and regulations.
1. Do you have siblings and are you close with them? I have two half sisters and a half brother, but I am not close with them at all, to them I don't exist. The last time I saw them was right after my father passed away over 20 years ago. They wanted to hang out with me and supposedly get to know me, that last maybe a couple of weeks and I haven't seen them since. I have a sister in law that I call my sister and one of my best friends. I can talk to her about pretty much everything and she is always there for me.
2. Would you rather be slightly UNDER weight or slightly OVER weight?Honestly, I would rather be SLIGHTLY UNDER weight. I have been overweight and extremely overweight for so long now, I would like to know what it feels like to be on the opposite side of the fence for once.
3. What's your favorite State Fair food to splurge on?Oh boy, this is a hard one! I do love the pizza, something about it tastes so much different. I am not huge on the elephant ears though. I also like the walking tacos and the chicken on a stick!
4. What are your thoughts on your kid(s) going to school in a few weeks?I always say that I am excited for the oldest one to be heading back to school because I can only hear, "I'm Bored!" so many times. But I always seem to be sad and miss her especially on the first day.
5. Pool or Ocean? I love pools, and never have been to an ocean. How about a lake? LOL
OK, so this week two post is a little later than I wanted to do it. Hubby decided at the last minute last week to go camping for the weekend and here we are trying to get everything done in a hurry to get out of town for the weekend. Then when we get back, of course there is all of the unpacking to do and then catching up on laundry. Seems like I had to wash every blanket and pillow!
So week two on Nutrisystem proved to be a huge challenge for me. In getting everything ready for camping, I seemed to lose my way a little bit. I found it a lot harder to stay on as we ended up going out for dinner or picking up things for dinner most of the week. I stuck to the plan for most of the day and ended up getting healthier alternatives for dinners, but to say that I was disappointed in myself would be an understatement. I ended up losing two pounds for the week bringing my total weight loss on the Nutrisystem program to 6 pounds total in two weeks, but I couldn't help thinking if I would have been in the right mindset, I would have lost more. I also wasn't in the gym as much as I would have liked. I tried to eat sensibly while we were camping as well. I brought my foods with me and followed the plan with some fresh fruits and vegetables. I packed some fresh broccoli in our cooler and snacked on it during the day when I was hungry. Of course, I strayed away from the plan for dinner once again because we had hot dogs over the fire, but I was smart about it and ate them in moderation. For me though, I feel it was a disappointing week, and I am working hard to do better for week number three.
The thing I really have loved best about the Nutrisystem plan is the breakfasts. I am loving the Chocolate Chip Scone and the Double Chocolate Muffin! I pair these with some yogurt and juice in the morning and it really is a satisfying meal not to mention who doesn't love chocolate in the morning? Another meal I really enjoyed for this week was the Glazed Chicken Tenders with Green Beans and Almonds. This was SOOO good and had a delicious flavor!
Here is a sample of how Nutrisystem gets such wonderful success stories and how their program works:
The Science Behind The System
So, what’s our secret? Simple—we’ve got science on our side.
Nutrisystem is based on the proven science of the Glycemic Index, and eating low-GI meals 5 to 6 times a day helps keep your blood sugar and metabolism stable, so your body burns calories more effectively.
Plus, we’ve found a way to make dieting doable by providing you with the foods you love-minus the guilt.
Menu staples like Lasagna, Mac & Cheese, and chocolate are given a good-for-you spin with fiber, protein and good carbs to help control cravings and keep you feeling satisfied, then packaged into just the right portion size so you never go overboard.
All in all, it’s a complete, balanced approach to losing weight and living healthier.
Want to take the first step to a new you? Want to lose the weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or visit Nutrisystem.
Week three progress will be posted sometime tomorrow, wish me luck!
Disclosure-I received the Nutrisystem program free of charge as well as support services and information in exchange for weekly posts on my progress as part of the Nurtisystem Nation Blogging Program. Results are not typical for everyone and may vary. The words expressed are my own and not influenced in any way. I abide by all FTC rules and regulations.
Nutrisystem Nation-Week 2 and a couple of giveaways will be delayed until Monday as I am heading out of town first thing tomorrow morning for a weekend trip with the family. Thanks to all for your understanding and have a wonderful weekend!
Good Saturday morning! How is everyone doing today? We have been dealing with a lot of heat and humidity here in Michigan this week as I'm sure a lot of you might have been dealing with as well. It's a rare thing for us to have a week long heat event like this week living on the lake. As you may have noticed a few things have changed on my blog this week. Heather and her associate have been working on cleaning up the sidebars a little and making some pages. They are now working on a design and hopefully by next week, I will have a new blog. Now onto the Saturday Spectacular giveaway linky! Do you have some cool giveaways going on over at your blog right now, maybe a summertime event? Run across some fun giveaways that you would like to share? Link them up here today and all week! Have a wonderful weekend all! Got a couple of giveaways coming up that you are sure to like!
Well, my first week on the Nutrisystem program has come and gone and I have to say it wasn't so bad at all! I stuck to the plan for the most part, except having a couple of dinners with the family, but I always made sure to incorporate my fruits and vegetables and stuck to my handy dandy daily tracker. I always carry this with me wherever I go because it is not only a great tool to write down all of what I eat, it also has a list of veggies, fruits, proteins, fats, and so much more that I am allowed to eat. The day before I actually started, I went to Walmart with the hubby and girls and I took the tracker with me. Not only was that a huge help, but hubby was a huge help as well. He helped me pick out a wonderful variety of things to go along with the Nutrisystem plan. Vegetables are pretty much "free" foods, so I wanted to stock up on those as much as possible.
Picking out all of my food for the month was exciting and fun, there was so many choices and quite honestly I was a little overwhelmed. I wasn't sure what to pick that would work for me. I have never tried any diet program like this before, I have always been on my own and basically followed my own diet plan of course failing each and every time, so I was a little nervous starting something like Nutrisystem where I felt like I had to be strict about what I eat. It's not like that at all! They have great meals! A couple of my favorites from this past week would have to be the Chocolate Chip Scones for breakfast, Chicken Quesadilla for lunch, the Salisbury Steak and Mac & Cheese for dinner and the Strawberry Shortcake bar for dessert. There was only one meal that I had for lunch that I didn't finish and that was the Chicken and Pasta in Cacciatore , I didn't like the flavor or texture of it very much. I have tried to stick to the program as best I could, but once a week we love to go out and have dinner. I know now that I can do this, in my meal planner it shows me how to eat sensible when I go out. The biggest problem for me is that I have always been a snacker throughout the day and on the days I work I like to head out to a fast food place and grab some lunch. I found the first couple of days that I was on Nutrisystem, I was pretty hungry a couple of hours after breakfast and lunch, because I was used to eating so much more than the smaller portions. For example, for breakfast I will now have a Nutrisystem entree with a yogurt and a glass of juice or some fruit along with a slice of toast, oatmeal or a half English muffin. Now, I have become a little more accustomed to the plan and have started to work with it instead of against it in some ways. I love not having to think about what to have for meals like cooking something or running out to buy something. It is all ready for me, the only thing I have to do is choose what I want from all of the choices that I made. Everyday is a new adventure and something different instead of the same thing all the time. The combination of the Nutrisystem food combined with my fruits and veggies makes this plan a lot more interesting and quite honestly easier to want to stick to.
This first week on Nutrisystem, I lost 4.4 pounds. I feel like maybe I could have done a little better, but at the same time I am happy with my progress. I also love that I have online support over at Nutrisystem.com if and when I need it. I also love that I can head over to the website and track what I eat from there and also get suggestions to help me along with each meal. I am really looking forward to seeing what more I can accomplish and excited to continue onto week #2! Here's a little bit about the Nutrisystem nutrition:
Nutrition
Forget fad diets. Nutrisystem is a proven, balanced approach to eating and losing weight that helps you learn healthy habits for life.
Nutrisystem® entrees and desserts feature:
Low-glycemic “good carbs”
Protein
Fiber
Low sodium
Low fat
No trans fats
Plus, each meal is prepared for you and fits into a complete weight loss system uniquely designed to give you maximum results.
You also get to add fresh grocery items (fruit, dairy, salads and vegetables) into your plan so you're guaranteed nutrition every single day.
Altogether, it's nutritious, delicious weight loss
that works.
Nutrisystem foods contain "good carbs" that are digested slowly to help you feel more satisfied.
I also wanted to show you a before picture, that way you can see the results for yourself!
Want to try the Nutrisystem plan for yourself? Head on over to Nutrisystem.com to lose weight and get healthy. Or call 1-888-853-4689. Here's hoping for a great week #2, see you next week.
Disclosure- The words expressed in this post are my own and not influenced in any way. I am provided food and assistance free of charge by Nutrisystem in exchange for weekly posts and check ins. I am not compensated for writing these postings. I am in compliance with all FTC rules and regulations.
Good Saturday morning to you all! Sorry I have been a little busy with a lot of things lately, it just seems that I don't have enough hours in the day to get everything done. Trying to work on the new blog design, the Nutrisystem blogging program, the girls and summer in general just to name a few things. The weather here in Michigan is going to be unbearable for the next week with high temps toward 90 and when you factor in the humidity it's going to feel like 100 with no relief in sight for a while. We also have lack of rain which is no good for the flowers and the grass. I am so hoping to get things together soon so I can devote more time to getting this blog back where I used to have it. Please bear with me during all of these wonderful changes, I'm hoping you all won't be disappointed. Now back after a couple of weeks:the Mommy2TwoGirls giveaway linky! Do you have great giveaways going on at your blog right now or maybe run across some that you would like to share? Link them up here today and all week!
I've got some wonderful news to share with all of my faithful readers here at Mommy2TwoGirls! I was just accepted last week as a Nutrisystem Nation Blogger! What exactly does this mean? Over the next FOUR months, I get to share a new journey of my life with all of you.
All of my life, I have struggled with my weight. I haven't always been big, but really started gaining weight shortly after I got married. I guess you could say that I got comfortable in my relationship. I also have always loved fast food and Coca Cola. When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I actually lost 50 pounds because I was sick all of the time and went gestational diabetic. After I had her, I felt great..for a while but soon enough all the weight came back and then some. With my second daughter, I only gained one pound but no one even knew I was pregnant because of all of the weight that I was carrying around. Last year, I was pushing 300 pounds and was the heaviest that I have ever been in my life. I have tried many different diets plans and have exercised by going for walks with my family only to have failed. At the very end of last year, I joined a gym and spent a few weeks trying to walk on a treadmill for an hour a day. Quite honestly it wasn't until a month ago that I got really serious and have lost 13 pounds for a grand total of 23 pounds since the beginning of the year. Unfortunately it's not enough and I have set a goal for myself that if I reach it will not only make me the thinnest I've ever been, but the healthiest. And thanks to Nutrisystem, you all will be able to follow my incredible journey to a new me for the next four months.
My weight has always been a burden to me and has kept me from playing with my kids without getting tired, has not allowed to me go places that I would like to go to without feeling ridiculed. I am now totally committed to reaching my life long goal and being the best and healthiest person that I can be. I am extremely excited to be a part of this wonderful program and quite honestly am honored that Nutrisystem chose to sponsor me. I will be blogging about my experiences with the Nutrisystem program once a week, so you will all be able to read about it as well as see the results for yourself. I just received all of my wonderful food today and am excited to get started on the program. It was so fun for me to be able to choose all of the food that I would be receiving and was so impressed with the selection that was in front of me. I also received a big Nutrisystem water bottle that helps me along the way with my daily water intake so I can always make sure that I get exactly the amount I need. I will follow up this post soon with starting stats as well as a little bit into the program itself, what I received for food, and what I got to eat every Thursday. You will get to "ride" along with me so to speak and follow every aspect of my journey.
Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog.
Disclosure-I will receive four months on Nutrisystem food as well as advice and help in exchange for sharing about my weight loss on my blog and social media sites. The words expressed and the opinions that I share are my own and not influenced in any way. Follow #NSNation on Twitter to see other bloggers who have been through the Nutrisystem program.
Happy 4th of July weekend! What are your plans this weekend? Mine includes a parade and cookout tomorrow at my sister's house, a cookout at our house on Sunday and then who knows what? Hope you all have a great and safe weekend! Do you have great giveaways going on at your blog right now, or maybe a summer event? Run across some cool giveaways that you would like to share? Link them up here today and all week here on the Saturday Spectacular Giveaway Linky.
1. If you had the opportunity to bungee jump, would you? No way, I am terrified of heights.
2. Would you rather go to the movie theater or to the drive-in? I love going to both, but prefer to go to the movie theater.
3. Do you have your groceries delivered? Uh...no. I go to the store every week, sometimes more than once a week and do my shopping the normal way, with two kids arguing in tow, stand in line for a half hour to check out and go down the cramped aisles of people standing in the middle talking to one another or on their cell phones. What would I ever do without it?!
4. Eyebrows: Do you wax, thread, pluck, or stay aunaturel? I stick to au naturel, I have never done anything to my eyebrows except make sure I don't end up with a uni brow. I just go with the flow and thank God that I don't have to be vain enough to worry about it.
5. Would the people you went to high school with be surprised by your life today? Maybe. I am a lot different now than I was in high school. I was pretty much a loner in school and never had a boyfriend, now here I am married for 15 years with two kids. I wish I was more successful as far as a career went, but I think people would be a little surprised.
Good Saturday morning! Hope you are all having a great weekend so far. I have been busy the past few days working my way through the Blog Bash list of great prizes to win. Do you have great giveaways going on at your blog right now, or maybe a summer event? Run across some cool giveaways that you would like to share? Link them up here today and all week here on the Saturday Spectacular Giveaway Linky.
Happy weekend! Do you have some great giveaways going on at your blog right now or maybe a summer event? Run across some fun giveaways that you would like to share? List them here today and all week on the Saturday Spectacular at Mommy2TwoGirls. Have a wonderful weekend!
Camping, we love to go camping a lot. The past couple years we haven't done it as much with the addition of the little one, but am hoping to go a few times this summer. Something about campfires, hot dogs and marshmallows combined with sleeping out in a tent and all of the fresh air.
2. Do you have one laundry soap you stick to, or do you buy whatever's on sale?
I usually buy whatever is on sale for the most part, but really love the Purex Naturals Laundry Detergent the best. It has a long-lasting scent.
3. What is your favorite dinner to make in the summer?
Anything on the grill!
4. Do you have any talents?
Not really......
5. If you could instantly be an expert in something, what would it be? Why?
I would be an expert in sports or radio broadcasting because it has always been something that I wanted to do.
*It's not about getting thru it...it's about getting something out of it. Bob Harper *I can't save you, you have to save yourself. Jillian Michaels *Stand up and finish what you started. Bob Harper *This isn't about winning a game, it's about fixing what's broken. Bob Harper *Can't is just a reason to quit. Jillian Michaels Hard Work, Dedication...-Dolvett Quince
Nutrisystem foods contain "good carbs" that are digested slowly to help you feel more satisfied.
