My Mom Deserves The Best

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StyleMyHoliday #CollectiveBias

Moms are our true gift in life. To me, my mother, has been my rock. You see, we came to the US in 1995 from Cuba. As an immigrant family, we had it hard, very hard. Then my parents divorced when I was teenager and boy did it become even harder. Through it all, my mom has been there and this holiday season, I want to make her feel extra special by getting her an amazing gift that she totally deserves.

My mom is really hard to shop for. Whenever I ask her what I can gift her, her reply is "Nothing." In her world, my sister, me and my kids are the greatest gifts she could have ever gotten, even if we do annoy her to no end!

My mom and my daughter (her first-grandchild)

Her not wanting anything will never stop me from showing up with a gift. In past years, I have gotten her purses, gift cards and perfumes. Now, I am not a big holiday shopper. I cannot stand wandering around stores aimlessly looking for a gift. I research beforehand, I drive to the store, go directly to the gift I want to purchase, I purchase it and leave. Honestly, I think this is how most guys shop. This year, I have decided that I will gift my mom with something really special and sophisticated: an Anne Klein watch set!

Now, this is a nice gift! This is definitely beautiful jewelry without a hefty price tag. The Anne Klein box sets feature a great dress watch and 2-3 coordinating bracelets. The watch and bracelets can be worn together for an on-trend stackable look that my mom is going to love!!

Anne Klein box sets come in  a jewelry style box making them easy to wrap (just add a bow) and easy to gift!! I can't wait to see her face Christmas Eve when I show up with her fancy gift! It's about time my mom has good things!

Mothers are angels on Earth! I love you Mom. I love you for who you are and for everything you do for me and my family!

Anne Klein box sets are available at Dillard's!

Be sure to check out all the Anne Klein box sets available at Dillard's. Which one would you purchase for your mom?

Easy Appetizer: Sicilian Pizza Fries

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NestleHoliday #CollectiveBias

The holiday season is here which means that holiday parties are in full swing! My family and I will usually host one or two events during the holiday season and at every one of those events you will fin d the easiest appetizer ever: Sicilian Pizza Fries!

Never heard of pizza fries? Well you are in luck because today, I am going to show you how easy they are to put together. First, you need Sicilian pizza. My choice: CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN® Crispy Thin Crust Oven Ready Pizza Sicilian!

This pizza is awesome for pizza fries because of the crispy crust and the extra flavorful kick from the spicy ham! Follow package instructions for cooking (preheat oven to 400 degrees and then bake in center rack for about 18 minutes!)

SICILIAN PIZZA FRIES

Serves 5-6

Ingredients:

1-California Pizza Kitchen Sicilian Pizza

1 cup ranch dressing

1 cup marinara sauce

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Bake pizza in center rack for about 18 minutes.

Remove from oven and let cool.

Slice and serve

Doesn't this look like it's sent from above? Look at all those toppings.

I am your typical guy and do not like to complicate my life anymore than what it already is. Simple is key for me so when asked to create an appetizer, you know it's going to be easy. After your pizza is baked to perfection, let it cool for about 5 minutes and then slice it. First, you slice it vertically in 6 sections and then cut those 6 section in half. Assemble on a festive plate, add ranch and marinara in small containers as dips and serve!

It really doesn't get any easier than that. Oh and it also looks fancy which is a plus! If you want to continue with an Italian theme for your event, I recommend picking up some STOUFFERS® Large Family Size Lasagnas and other NESTLE® to serve. Holidays are all about spending time with loved ones, not being trapped in the kitchen!

Do you have an easy go-to appetizer that you prepare for holiday gatherings?

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayWithGlade #CollectiveBias

The holidays are here and that means that my wife starts setting out “holiday-scented” candles throughout the house. My favorite one is the Cherishthe Present™ Apple Cinnamon from the Glade^® Limited Edition Winter Collection . This scent evokes a sense of calm and joy in me. It also reminds me it’s time for me to start making one of my kids’ favorite foods: Apple Cinnamon Muffins!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup milk

1/3 cup melted butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 medium apple, chopped

Glaze:

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease (or use muffin cups) a 12-cup muffin pan, set aside. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon in bowl. Add milk, butter, vanilla and egg and stir until moistened.

 

Add the apples. I used one medium-sized Honeycrisp apple. Don't chop it too small, you want to make sure you can see and taste your apple pieces! Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake 20-23 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

For the glaze:

In a small bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon and butter for glaze. Once the muffins have cooled take a muffin and dip the top in the glaze and twist. Make sure to cover all the top of the muffin.  Repeat until all muffins have been glazed.

Like I mentioned before, these muffins are my family’s favorite. I make them often throughout the holidays!

Each fragrance from the Glade^® Limited Edition Winter Collection aims to embody the special moments with friends and family that make the holidays so special.

We purchased our Glade^® Jar Candles at our local Publix.

A Dad's Holiday Survival Kit

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HealingNightsSleep #CollectiveBias

Holidays are here and our usual busy life has kicked into overdrive. From extra work to school performances to holiday parties, I feel like we are rushing all over town to try and get everything done. From previous experiences, I learned that I need to have a Dad's Holiday Survival Kit handy to make sure I am ready to go at all times!

This holiday survival kit holds all the necessities I need to get me through the day. I start my day at 5:00 am at the gym. I have to get my workout in at least 4 times a week. After the gym, I rush home, take a shower, have a quick breakfast and go to work. Right now, I am working from 8:30 am to about 8:30 pm 7 days a week. I have a deadline and am way behind so I have to stay extra time. I slip out of work, attend holiday performances, games or birthday parties and slip back into the office. I am EXHAUSTED by the time I get home. So exhausted, it's hard to sleep! This is awful since I need to be well-rested to take on the next day of crazy so I honestly count on Advil PM!

Advil PM has helped me gain the most from that extra hour of sleep!! I wake up rested, with relief from pain, and ready to take on the day and all my kids!

In my holiday survival kit, I not only have Advil PM but I also include: 

-water bottles (always a large size, drinking water is so important!!)

-herbal tea (I always have tea in the morning)

-protein bars (gotta keep the hunger monster under control)

-an extra pair of dress socks (you never know when you might need them)

-a holiday hat (gotta stay in the spirit of the season!)

I am a one-stop shopper. I stock up my survival kit at Walgreens! I'm like a kid in a candy store in there!

What would you have in your Holiday Survival Kit? If Advil PM is on your list, then make sure check out these special offers!

Only The Good Stuff For Your Superstar

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FuelTheirAdventures #CollectiveBias

We are a sports family. Our lives revolve around practices and games. Adrian plays soccer, flag football and basketball so we are all over the place, especially during the week. He needs good fuel to get through it all so sugary after-practice snacks are not an option. He loves yogurt so we purchase lots of it in our home. His choice: Dannon® Danimals®! Dannon® Danimals® are the perfect on-the-go option that helps fuel kids' adventures - at school, after school, during practice, homework or to start the day!

Since we are out on the fields so often, I make sure to have a cooler full of yogurts for the team. Sometimes (for a game or special practice) we will add a touch of fun encouragement to the yogurt  bottles. The kids really love it. 

While I was grocery shopping last week, I noticed a new collector's edition package of Dannon® Danimals® featuring different athletes on the bottles. I knew this pack would be perfect for our team treat. The kids would get a kick of seeing which athlete they got and they would be fun to attach a sports-themed label to. 

Dannon® Danimals® provide "Only the good stuff" with no high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors, as well as provides a good source of calcium and Vitamin D. They come in lots of fun flavors (Strawberry, Strawberry Kiwi, Watermelon, Seasonal and Cotton Candy). NOTE: The Cotton Candy/Strawberry flavor packs are on available for a limited time and not available at all stores. 

Now for the labels. Like I mentioned previously, I created these labels for the kids. I want them to feel encouraged and know that I am there to support them all, not just my son. These labels are free for you to download, just right-click, save image to your computer and print anytime!

Materials needed: 1 sheet of labels per pack of yogurt, twine or ribbon, scissors and a one-hole punch. 

Cut out each label and punch a hole in the corner. Cut twine (about 7-8 inches), enough to wrap around neck of bottle and to tie. 

Loop twine through hole in label and tie around the neck of the bottle. That's it. It doesn't get any simpler than that!

Now you just put them in your cooler, cheer on your team as loud as possible and then hand out a treat to your future pros!

FUN STUFF ALERT: Dannon® Danimals® and Play 60 have teamed up with a fun contest. If you find the "Golden Bongo" bottle in specially marked packages, your school can win a Play 60 Field Day with NFL pros. You can only imagine how many packages of yogurt we have purchased since Adrian found this out. He wants to be the one to win the Field Day!!

Look for Dannon® Danimals® at your local Walmart!

What sports do your kids play? What special treats do you take to the fields?

Vegan Tailgate Recipe: Chickpea Croquettes

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KingofFlavor #CollectiveBias

Football is here people and it's time to gather with friends for football madness. Now, gathering with friends to tailgate is always fun but you have to be aware of everyone's dietary restrictions. It's hard since there are so many but since I've know my friends for a long time, I know what to cook and when to bring something extra like my vegan tailgate special: chickpea croquettes!

Growing up in a Cuban household, we ate croquettes ("croquetas") all the time. They were a staple at Sunday morning breakfast and at all birthday parties. Croquettes are usually made of ham, cheese or chicken and that was what we ate. We also grew up eating lots of chickpea stews so one day I thought "Hmmm, what about a chickpea croquette?" and then this amazingness was born!

For tailgating, I like to enhance the flavor a bit so I will always add some hot sauce. For these croquettes I don't go too crazy but I do add a little El Yucateco Habanero sauce to the mix! El Yucateco Black Label Reserve Hot Sauce has an earthy smoke flavor without the sweetness of a chipotle sauce. This smokey flavor brings depth, habanero flavor and the perfect heat to any dish without adding an overpowering smoke taste! Oh and no artificial colors are added. It's perfection in a bottle!

CHICKPEA CROQUETTES

Makes about 10

Ingredients:

2 cans chickpeas, drained

2 tbsp El Yucateco Habanero sauce

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup flour

1/2 cup diced red pepper

2 tsp lime juice

1 tbsp olive oil

To make croquettes: In a food processor or blender, add chickpeas, hot sauce, cumin, coriander, salt, flour and lime juice. Blend until combined.

Pour mixture into a bowl. Fold in red pepper.

Coat a skillet with olive oil. Heat over medium heat. Scoop dollops of chickpea mixture onto skillet. Cook 5-6 minutes and then flip. Cook 5 more minutes on other side. Repeat with remaining chickpea mixture.

Remove from heat and serve!

I purchase El Yucateco Black Label Reserve Habanero Sauce at my local Walmart. Take a look in the hot sauce or ethnic foods section and you will find it.

Do you like chickpeas? Have you ever had chickpea croquettes or any type of croquette at tailgates? 

Scare Up Some Fun With Silly Monster Pudding Cups (FREE Printable)

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ReadySetSnack #CollectiveBias

It's Fall and that means it's time to send the kids back to school! Back to school lunch packing can get boring after a while so I like to have some fun with their lunches. One of their favorite snacks are pudding cups so I decided to scare up some fun with silly monster pudding cups. 

Pudding cups are my favorite too so we buy lots of them in our home. While grocery shopping the other night, I noticed that there were Hershey's S'mores Ready-to-Eat pudding cups on the shelf and you know those immediately went into the cart! Hershey's pudding is a rich, creamy pudding made with real Hershey's cocoa. They are a great option for a premium, high quality snack!

My honey got me hooked on creating printables for all her crafts and holidays so I knew a printable was the way to go to make the pudding cups a little more fun! My kids love silly monsters and lunchbox notes so I put two and two together and created these pudding cup wrappers! They are silly, fun and the best part, FREE! These wrappers are on a 8-1/2" x 11" sheet so they are easy to print at home. 

To download wrappers, just right-click, save image and print!

Once you have printed out the pudding cup wrappers, just cut around the black lines. 

Your cut wrappers should look like this. All you will need to assemble the silly monster pudding cups are hte wrappers and double-sided tape!

Turn a wrapper over and stick a piece of double-sided tape to each end, then attach to the pudding cup. 

That's it! You now have a silly monster treat that's delicious and sure to scare up some silly fun at lunch!

Hershey's Ready to Eat pudding cups are available at Walmart and come in S'mores and Chocolate flavors. While you are at Walmart, make sure to pick up a copy of the September/October issue of ALL YOU magazine which has a $0.55 off coupon for Hershey's Ready to Eat Pudding!

Be sure to check out more delicious topping ideas and fun crafts at Kraft.com. I'd love to hear your favorite!

3 Ways I Stay in Touch With My Daughter

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #CloudPetsForever #CollectiveBias

My daughter, Amberly, is my world. Her birth changed my life forever. She made me a dad, the most important job I will ever have. Deciding to separate from her mom when she was only two was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, not because my relationship was ending but because I knew that I wouldn't see Amberly every single day. Ever since then, I look forward to the weekends when I get to see her (and her brother!) 

Over the past six years, I have tried hard to maintain as much contact with her as possible, not just every other weekend. It's important for me to have an open line of communication with her. It's important for her to know I will be there for her, no matter what. My ex (her mom) and I get along well so it does make things a lot easier on everyone involved. I stay in touch with Amberly all week long.

{ONE}

The easiest way to stay in touch with her is by calling. At first, we had a set time once a week where we would talk over the phone. Thankfully, she has always been a big talker and has always loved talking on the phone with me. Since she started school, the phone calls are more frequent, at least twice a week. She will call me or I will call her. We discuss homework, behavior or just a quick Wednesday morning call to say "Happy hump day!"

{TWO}

Sometimes phone calls are not enough! When I see her on the weekends, the first thing she does is run and give me a big hug. She does not let go. I know she has missed me as much as I have missed her. She is the cuddly type so when I heard about CloudPets™, I knew it would be perfect for her!

CloudPets™ are these cute stuffed animals that lets you stay in touch with your loved ones. CloudPets™ lets you download a free app, register your animal and then you get to send a message to the pet. Your loved one hears the message on the pet and then record a message back! CloudPets™ come with parental controls and only invited friends and family can send a message to your pet. 

{THREE}

Another way I stay in touch with Amberly is to be present. When she is around, my attention is on her. We don't see each other as much as we would like so why be on the phone or working when she is around? My weekend is devoted to her (and her brother!) when they are over. We play, read books, go on outings, always something and always together! Now, I am present, no matter what. If there is a school function, I am there. She can't understand homework explanations over the phone, I drive to her house and we figure it out. Always available and always present is the perfect way to let her know how much I love her!

I can't wait to see her this weekend and gift her her new CloudPets™ Unicorn. The unicorn is exclusive to Walmart. CloudPets™ are also available as a Kitty, Bear, Puppy and Bunny!

Have you seen CloudPets™ at your local Walmart? Who would you gift one too?