Easy Homemade Apple Butter

*Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.

Have you ever come across a food that you loved so much that you remember exactly where you were the first time you ever had it? For me, it's apple butter. I was 9 years old and my mom had just brought home a little jar from the farmer's market to serve with dinner that night. Now, I'm a butter girl through and through, but once I had a bite of that sweet deliciousness, I was sold! As much as I have loved apple butter over the years, I have never made my own. With the cooler temps hitting, I've been craving some a lot lately, and thankfully Golden Blossom Honey had a very easy to follow Apple Butter recipe that made it possible for me to satisfy my craving this week.

This is the perfect fall spread. Paired with fresh muffins, rolls or bread out of the oven equals to pure bliss!

Ingredients

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
juice from one orange
1/2 cup apple cider
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RECIPE

You can find this recipe, as well as many more delicious recipes right on the Golden Blossom Honey recipe page! Be sure to follow Golden Blossom Honey on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on new products and promotions.

If you like this recipe, be sure to come back every Friday, where I feature a new recipe from Golden Blossom Honey!

 What's a food that you remember from first bite?

Emerald® Nuts Has Healthy Grab & Go Snack Options

Disclosure- Thank you to Emerald® Nuts for sponsoring today's post.

I don't know about you, but it seems I am always on the go. I sometimes just want to chuck my daily planner into the fire and go back to bed. If you are a parent like me, then you probably understand where I'm coming from. Between dental and doctor visits, after school sports, grocery shopping, and playing taxi to my girls all day long, I hardly get a minute just to sit with my own thoughts. And, if you are like me, when you are on-the-go, your thoughts usually gravitate towards snacking. Yes, I am one of those people who snacks in the car, so when I came across these Emerald® Nuts Mini Snack Canisters at Walmart, I was thrilled to see a healthy snack that is perfect for busy moms on-the-go like me.

Lately, I've been snacking on the Deluxe Mixed Nuts. Each canister has high quality nuts, lightly salted and roasted, including cashews, walnuts, almonds and pecans. 

I love how portable the mini cans are because they make it easy to snack healthy while on-the-go. No more digging through my purse for an unhealthy candy bar or a trip to the drive through for greasy fries. I love having heart healthy nuts within reach at all times. The canister is perfect to stash in my handbag:

Or, they even fit nicely right in my car's cup holders!

Emerald Nuts Mini Cans are sold exclusively at Walmart stores. Right now you can save on any Emerald® Nuts product with this printable 55¢ coupon. 


Additionally, Emerald would love to know how you and your friends snack and eat nuts. Take a quick 10 minute opt-in research survey to share. The first 100 respondents who complete the survey will receive a $5 Walmart gift card. (Survey is open to legal U.S. residents, 18+). Click here to start the survey.

Stay up to date on new products, promotions and happenings by following Emerald on Facebook.

What's your favorite on-the-go snack?

Ninja Coffee Bar Delivers A Perfect Brew!

*Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my policy tab for more information.

Are you someone who just can't get their day going without a delicious cup of coffee? My husband is definitely one of those people! Every morning he's in the kitchen brewing coffee, then he has to make the decision if he wants it black or wants the addition of sweetened creamers. Decisions, decisions! Part of the fun of having coffee is having those options to change it up each day. If you are like Jason, you are going to LOVE the new Ninja Coffee Bar™!

Ninja^® is transforming the way Americans brew coffee with the Ninja Coffee Bar^™.  Ninja^® has completely reinvented traditional drip coffee makers by designing a machine to unlock coffee’s full flavor potential and provide smooth, rich and well-balanced coffee in the size and style that you want. Perfect for daily coffee drinkers and coffee lovers, with the Ninja Coffee Bar^™ you can choose a cup, a travel mug or a carafe, and you can choose from a variety of brew styles. From classic rich hot coffee, to refreshing Over Ice Brew or even delicious hot milk-based and frozen blended specialty drinks, you can do it all with one machine.

Aside from the coffee bar looking sleek and modern, what we were amazed by is its Thermal Flavor Extraction™ technology which uses automated controls for Temperature Calibration, Pre-Infusion, and Even Coffee Saturation which unlocks your coffee's full flavor potential with every brew! The Auto-iQ™ One Touch Intelligence lets you select the size of your cup (standard, travel, half pot, full pot), your brew type (classic, rich, over ice, specialty), and then the Ninja Coffee Bar­­™ automatically adjusts for the correct amount of water use. 

Additional features of the Ninja Coffee Bar^™ include: 

·         Easy-Fill Brew Basket – Slide out to quickly and easily fill with your favorite coffee grounds or fully remove for effortless cleaning. 

·         Removable Water Reservoir with Auto-Metering – No need to measure or constantly refill.

·         Drip Stop – Stops the flow of coffee from the brew basket, allowing you to pour a cup mid-brew. 

·         Multi-Serve Cup Platform – Easily pulls down so you can brew directly into your favorite mug or cup.

·         Programmable Delay Brew – Pre-set to brew automatically up to 24 hours in advance in any size.

·         Intelligent Clean Cycle Indicator – Alerts you when your brewer senses that it needs to be cleaned. 

·         Ninja Easy Frother™ – Transform milk into rich creamy foam for your favorite indulgent specialty beverage.

·         Available on select models: 

o    43 oz. glass carafe with no drip ergonomics; included with Precise Temp Warming Plate.

o    Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Carafe keeps your coffee hot for hours, ideal for entertaining; not including Intelligent Warming Plate.

·         Ninja Cup Options:

o    12 oz. insulated mug with handle

o    14 oz. insulated cup

o    Stainless Steel 16 oz. Travel Mug

o    Hot and Cold 18 oz. Insulated Tumbler™

The box also contained a booklet with 40 scrumptious coffeehouse-style recipes. I made the Caramel Macchiato recipe for Mariah, and it was love at first sip! I then brewed Jason his regular black brew. He was so impressed with the way it turned out, he kept asking if I did anything different than I do with our normal coffee maker because he loved how delicious it brewed. He was immediately sold!

I admit, I am not a hot coffee drinker. However, give me any iced coffee any day of the week and I'm a happy camper! I'm embarrassed to think about how much I've spent at the local coffee shops, or even on those refrigerated bottles of coffee I buy from the grocers. I decided to try my hand at making my own iced coffee using the cold brew feature, and OMG! It was AMAZING! Never will I buy another iced coffee from the shops again!

Ingredients:

3/4 Cup Cold Brewed Coffee
1 1/2 Tablespoons White Chocolate Chips (I use Ghirardelli)
2 Tablespoons Caramel Sundae Topping
1 Tablespoon Sugar
2 Tablespoons 1/2 & 1/2
whipped cream and shaved chocolate for topping (optional)

Directions:

Melt chocolate in double-broiler over low heat until smooth. Pour melted chocolate and caramel sauce into coffee; stir until incorporated. Add 1/2 and 1/2 and sugar; stir until incorporated. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings if desired. Serve immediately.

If my family's seal of approval doesn't work for you, maybe Emmy-nominated Sofia Vergara's will! An avid coffee lover, Sophia Vergara has partnered with SharkNinja in promotion of the new Ninja Coffee Bar­­™!

The new Ninja Coffee Bar™ will be available nationwide at major retailers and directly through SharkNinja starting this September. If you would like to learn more about the new Ninja Coffee Bar™ or any of Ninja's other amazing kitchen products, be use to visit their website. Additionally, stay up to date on new products and promotions by following Ninja on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  

How would you use the new Ninja Coffee Bar™? Would you brew hot or cold first?

How I Am Treating My Hereditary Hair Loss With Women's ROGAINE® Foam #rogainetruevolume #gotitfree

Sadly, at my age nobody is going to mistake me for Rapunzel. Back in the day- way, way back before I hit my 30's, I had long, uber thick hair. I remember getting frustrated that I couldn't even wrap a pony tail holder around my hair more than twice. Now, I'd give anything to be that frustrated with my hair again! Unfortunately, I'm one of the many women who are experiencing hereditary hair loss. Did you know that 1 in 3 women notice hair thinning in her lifetime? I had no idea it was that many! Female Pattern Hair Loss can start between puberty and the 20's with a second peak in the early 40's. I may be a little different because I really noticed an upswing in loss of strands once I hit my 30's, and it's all been going downhill from there. Most people lose between 50 - 100 hairs a day, which is normal hair loss. A consistent loss of 150 hairs a day is considered significant hair loss. If you are one of the 1 in 3 women who are noticing significant hair loss, don't panic! There are some tips and tricks to help achieve a fuller, thicker look.

There are 4 main signs of aging hair: loss of pigment, decrease in moisture and oil production, changes in texture and inactive follicles resulting in thinning and loss of density. I personally curl or wave my hair every day to give my hair a fuller appearance. Creating texture and volume is the key to hair that appears fuller. Cut and color are also wonderful tools to create dimension, enhance the hair you have and give a fuller appearance. Since hair changes in color and texture as we age, work with your stylist to create the best look for you. Also, I'm excited to be using Women's ROGAINE® Foam! I am optimistic it will help me achieve my goal of having a thick, full head of hair once again.

Women's ROGAINE® Foam 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol is the first and only FDA-approved , once daily application hair regrowth product exclusively for women experiencing hereditary hair loss. It contains 5% minoxidil, which is the only ingredient FDA-approved to regrow hair in women.

I am in the process of using Women's ROGAINE® Foam to stimulate hair regrowth. Each evening, I massage the directed amount of foam into my scalp. The enhanced biodelivery system is designed to break down with my body heat to deposit actives on the scalp without residue. It's okay to use on my color treated hair, and can also be used on chemically treated (permed) hair. It can be applied to either dry or towel-dried hair, and can be used in conjunction with other styling products to easily fit into a beauty routine. It's odor-free, non-messy, does not leave any residue and does not weigh the hair down.

When massaged into the scalp, Women's ROGAINE® Foam 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol reactivates hair follicles and stimulates hair growth. Clinical studies show that with once daily use of Women's ROGAINE® Foam 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol for 24 weeks, 80% of women regrew hair, with initial results as early as 12 weeks and new hairs coming in up to 48% thicker than before. Continued use of Women's ROGAINE® Foam is required to maintain results.

Women's ROGAINE® Foam is currently available nationwide without a prescription. A 2 month supply has a retail of $29.99, or you can get a 4 month supply for $49.99. If you would like to try it for yourself, here is a current printable $5 off any 1 Women's Rogaine Foam!

WIN IT!

One lucky Theresa's Mixed Nuts reader is going to win a 1 Year Supply of Women's ROGAINE® Foam, a $150 value! The giveaway is open to legal residents of the U.S., 18+. No PO Boxes will be accepted. The giveaway will run through 10/12/15. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email before a new winner is selected. *Please note there is one winner per household across all blog giveaways. If you have won this same giveaway from another blog, you will be ineligible to win again.
 
*All entries are verified, so please make sure you are properly entering for the entries you claim. Failure to do so will result in your entries removed from the entry form. Please enter on the Giveaway Tools widget below. 

Entry-Form

Do you suffer from hereditary hair loss? What are some tips you have to make hair appear thicker and fuller?

 

Products were provided by the Women’s ROGAINE^® Foam. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Tailgating Done Right With Rubbermaid

*Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.


Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!? We definitely are! We live right around the corner from Notre Dame, so tailgating and hosting football parties is what we do best around here. Saturday was a home game, so excitement was really in the air in our area. It's always so fun to see everyone dressed up in team colors, good nature bantering with rivals, and let's not forget one of the most important parts of tailgating before the game: The Food! Whether we are hosting at home or hitting the road, we always make sure we have enough good eats on hand. One of the most important things about food is finding proper storage to keep it fresh and safe for transportation. That's why I have been a fan of the Rubbermaid brand for years. They have every product that I need to help keep my food the life of the party!

The Rubbermaid Party Platter allows me to pack up finger foods and dips and safely transport them in a lightweight, yet durable container to our tailgate adventures. If features:

• A leak-proof, Twist & Seal lid that secures dips and prevents spills 
• An outer lid that snaps onto the platters base for a tight seal and secure transportation
• A removable dip container that stays chilled in a cooler or reheats in a microwave 
• A divided platter base that keeps food separated
• Is BPA free and dishwasher, microwave and freezer safe

 

My favorite feature has to be the twist and seal container that keeps my dips secure. We just made my favorite Queso Blanco Dip this weekend and paired it with crisp veggies. Is was so delish!

Queso Blanco Dip

Ingredients:

8 ounces White American Cheese, cut into small cubes
1/8 cup diced green chilies
1 chopped jalapeno pepper
1/3 cup whole milk
1/4 cup cold water

Directions: Add all ingredients to a heavy bottom sauce pan. Heat on medium heat until cheese is melted and all ingredients are blended. Serve immediately with chips or veggies. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

*Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each until it reaches a creamy consistency.

We love to store our leftovers in Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids™ containers. The lids in this food storage system snap together and snap to the bottom of their matching container, ensuring the right lid is always at your fingertips! The containers all nestle together perfectly, so they don't ever take up a ton of room in my cupboards when not in use. I do like how they stack nicely, so I can always find what I am looking for quickly in my refrigerator.

• Lids snap together and to container bases so you can always find the right lid
• Graduated sized containers nest for compact storage
• One lid fits multiple bases
• Square shape for optimal space utilization
• Microwave / Freezer / Dishwasher Safe
• Thick, durable container walls for everyday use
• Bases and Lids are BPA FREE

Rubbermaid definitely has me covered for game day food storage and transportation! If you would like to learn more about these products, check out the Rubbermaid website. Additionally, stay up to day on new products and promotions by following along on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

What's your favorite game day snack?

Fall Calls For Warm Fruit Punch

*Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.

Fall is in the air. Can you feel it? We sure can! We went from scorching hot to chilly in just a few days. I've already had to break out my fall boots and chunky sweaters. As much as I love summer and hate to see it go, there are some things about fall that's just irresistible. The colors, the scents, pumpkins, and of course, Halloween! We've also been using our fire pit a lot more in the evenings, roasting marshmallows and chatting by the fire. I also like to cozy up to the fire with a warm beverage, so when I saw this Warm Fruit Punch on Golden Blossom Honey, I knew it was something I had to try!

It has such an amazing combination of flavors that just sings everything I love about fall. Warm and comforting, it is most definitely a new fall favorite. 

Ingredients

2 cups apple cider
2 cups cranberry juice
1/4 cup GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
5 whole cloves
4 slices lemon
1 cinnamon stick (optional)

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RECIPE

You can find this recipe, as well as many more delicious recipes right on the Golden Blossom Honey recipe page! Be sure to follow Golden Blossom Honey on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on new products and promotions.

If you like this recipe, be sure to come back every Friday, where I feature a new recipe from Golden Blossom Honey!

What's your favorite fall beverage?

 

Yummy Back To School Sandwich

*Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.

I think most of our kids have went back to school by now, no? We're about a month in and already I am scrambling to find delicious lunch options for the girls. Mariah despises school lunch and hasn't bought one in over 5 years. I don't blame her. I've gone to lunch with them a few times and it really leaves a lot to be desired! Since she wants a packed lunch every day, I have to really get creative so she doesn't get bored with what I put in her lunch sack. I saw this Yummy Back To School Sandwich on Golden Blossom Honey and it definitely struck me as something different.

I admit, I raised my eyebrows at this concoction. A peanut butter and bacon sandwich? But, I love peanut butter and bacon makes everything taste better, so why not? It was assembled in no time, and we got down to business and dug right in. And.... it was love at first bite! It's got a perfect blend of sweet and salty, and the crispy bacon gives an extra oomph to the overall texture of the sandwich.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
2 tablespoons peanut butter
2 strips crisp cooked bacon, crumbled

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RECIPE

You can find this recipe, as well as many more delicious recipes right on the Golden Blossom Honey recipe page! Be sure to follow Golden Blossom Honey on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on new products and promotions.

If you like this recipe, be sure to come back every Friday, where I feature a new recipe from Golden Blossom Honey!

 What's your favorite back to school sandwich?

Easily Support Your School Through Red Robin's Burger for Better Schools {Giveaway}

*Disclosure- This is a sponsored post. The Red Robin's Burger For Better Schools information and gift card have been provided by Red Robin. 

We haven't been back to school for a month, but already the fundraising booklets are pouring in. I don't know about you, but I tend to cringe every time my girls bring home yet another request. Now, don't get me wrong. I know that schools rely on those funds to get much needed classroom supplies, and we definitely do our part in purchasing off those forms to help give the schools the support they need. I just wish the school fundraising would be a little more practical in what they are asking us to buy. $12 for a roll of wrapping paper, $16 for cookies, $25 for a cup. Really!? A lot of it is stuff that's not only way over priced, but will sit here unused, collecting dust. That's why I was really excited to hear about Red Robin's Burger for Better Schools program!


Now, it's easier than ever to help your school, simply by doing what you already do; dining at Red Robin! Every time you dine at Red Robin, they will donate 1% of your total bill (excluding taxes, gratuities and gift cards) to the K-12 school of your choice! Red Robin's Burger For Better Schools is an extension of Red Robin's loyalty rewards program. Red Robin Royalty provides members with additional perks when they dine at Red Robin restaurants throughout the year, such as every 10th item purchased is free, a free birthday burger, and exclusive surprises.

Signing up for the program is a snap. Simply go to http://royalty.redrobin.com to register before you dine at Red Robin. You just enter your email, telephone number, then select the K-12 school of your choice. Enter your phone number when paying your bill and 1% will be directed back to your school. How easy is that!? Not only is it easy, registering for the Burger for Better Schools is free. You can't get better than that!

Members who have opted into Burgers for Better Schools can follow their progress in supporting a K-12 school of their choice on their Red Robin Royalty account dashboard. Details include individual contributions, how many others are supporting that school, and total donations raised by all supporters. At any time, Red Robin Royalty members can donate an additional sum to the school of their choice by using the credit card option featured on the Burgers for Better School homepage. You also have the option of changing your school selection at any time throughout the year.

Dining at Red Robin is definitely an appetizing way to help support your local school. It's one of my family's favorite places to stop, not only for burgers, but for their bottomless fries and delicious drink options (check out the yummy Freckled Lemonade on my Instagram!).

My family can never agree on one set dinner item, so we appreciate that Red Robin has a huge selection of menu options. There's something to please everyone, even our 2 pickiest eaters.

The Gourmet Cheeseburger

Royal Red Robin

Grilled Turkey Burger

Clucks and Shrimp

Ending the meal on a sweet note always makes everyone happy! Red Robin has some amazing desserts, but this time we opted for the Chocolate Fruffles. They were definitley Yummm!

To sign up for the Red Robin Royalty program and become eligible to support your local school through Burgers for Better Schools, visit http://royalty.redrobin.com.

Stay up to date on new products and promotions by following along with Red Robin:

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM

WIN IT!!!

One lucky Theresa's Mixed Nuts reader is going to win a $75 gift card to Red Robin!

*The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S., 13+. No PO Boxes will be accepted. The giveaway will run through 9/29/15. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning email before a new winner is selected.
 
*All entries are verified, so please make sure you are properly entering for the entries you claim. Please enter on the Giveaway Tools widget below.

Entry-Form

What's your favorite menu item at Red Robin? 

Celebrate Labor Day With An Apple & Honey Walnut Tart

*Disclosure- I received the mentioned product courtesy of the sponsor for the purpose of this review. All opinions are genuine, based on my experience with the product, and have not been influenced by promotional items.

The girls just went back to school, but they are already looking forward to the extended 3 day weekend! We aren't hosting a Labor Day party this year, but will be guests at a few gatherings over the weekend. Of course, we can't go empty handed! I thought about making an all around American Apple Pie to take with us, but I just bought a new tart pan and wanted to try it out. So, we are taking this Honey & Apple Walnut Tart because it's just as American as an apple pie!

The whole tart is scrumptious, but I wanted to eat the crust dough straight out of the bowl. It was some seriously amazing stuff! 

Ingredients

Crust:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 stick margarine, at room temperature
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tablespoons GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt

Filling:
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
4 apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 Tablespoon margarine

Glaze:
1/4 cup GOLDEN BLOSSOM HONEY
1/4 cup apricot preserves

CLICK HERE FOR FULL RECIPE

You can find this recipe, as well as many more delicious recipes right on the Golden Blossom Honey recipe page! Be sure to follow Golden Blossom Honey on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on new products and promotions.

If you like this recipe, be sure to come back every Friday, where I feature a new recipe from Golden Blossom Honey!

Wishing all my US readers a Happy Labor Day! Everyone else, have a great weekend! I'll see you all again on Tuesday :)

The Lost Sea Adventure

When we were planning a trip to Tennessee this summer, we thought it would be cool to do a little cave exploring. My father in law mentioned a place he took Jason many years ago (so many that Jason didn't even remember it) called The Lost Sea Adventure. I'm a sucker for tourist traps, so I made sure it was added to our itinerary.

The tour is 3/4 mile long, and lasts about an hour. We started our adventure by walking through a long tunnel to get into the caves.

Once inside, I was pretty happy to see that it was very open, and you don't feel like you are being sucked into small tunnels. We learned quite a bit about the cave stalagmites and stalactites, how the Indians used the caves as a place for meetings, and how later, the Confederate soldiers used it as shelter. It's definitely rich in history, and you'll learn about how people have used the caves for many different purposes over the years.

I'll admit, the novelty of walking through a cave kind of wears off quickly. To me, once you've seen a few stalagmites and stalactites, you're pretty much over the experience. However, this tour offered a few extra perks that kept us entertained. First, they shut off all the lights, pitching us into complete and total darkness. I believe our guide said caves are only one of two places in the world where you can experience this. The other perk is The Lost Sea is home to America's largest underground lake. It's located 140 feet below ground and spans 4 acres. You'll board a glass bottom boat, then float out for a trip around the lake.

The guide encouraged us to dip our hands into the crisp mineral water, which left our skin feeling really soft. We didn't leave our hands in too long since the lake houses massive rainbow trout that they feed on every tour. The fish do lose about 20% of their eyesight in the lake, and they cannot reproduce, so The Lost Sea does have to replenish the fish supply every so often.

When we wrapped up the tour, we did stop at their Old Sweetwater Village to have a look around. Here you can pick up some souvenirs in the glass blowing shop, stop for an old fashioned ice cream cone, or hike through the nature trail.

The Lost Sea Adventure is located in Sweetwater, TN, and offers tours daily, except for Christmas. We paid roughly $20 per adult and $10 per child. While it's not something we ever need to go through again, I thought it was fun and the experience was well worth the cost.

Have you ever been cave exploring? If so, where? If not, would you ever consider a cave tour?