We're big "Finding Nemo" fans and have basically been waiting for years for Disney•Pixar's "Finding Dory" to come out. I was thrilled when I got to see the first 33 minutes of the new film at DisneySMMC this year and cannot wait to take the kiddos to see the film once they get out of school. To get in the Dory spirit, we decided to celebrate the film opening by making some Dory-inspired lunches with Nature's Harvest® bread. 
Since we love to play with our food around here, I thought we'd make a Bacon Tomato & Avocado {BTA} open face sandwich and allow the kids to make their own fish friend right on their Nature’s Harvest® bread. With has at least 8g or more of whole grains per serving and no artificial flavors, colors or high fructose corn syrup, their delicious bread is a staple around here and every variety we’ve tried has been a hit with the kids. From Stone Ground 100% Whole Wheat to Honey Wheat Made with Whole Grain Bread, they are all kid- and parent-approved.
Food & Cooking
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Summer baking trend: frosting-free cakes for all your summer events
I love cake, but I don't love frosting. So, when Kraft sent me some frosting-free cake inspiration for a sponsored post and I saw the gorgeous combination of cake, fruit, and light filling, I knew this was going to be my new favorite type of dessert for my next summer gathering.
Get Naked
Summer’s here, so it’s time to get naked…cakes, that is! Traditional layer cakes are going frosting-free, and the result is an almost un-BARE-ably awesome dessert for all warm-weather occasions: wedding showers, baby showers, grad parties—you name it, I’ll be creating naked cakes.
Sweet and simple takes the cake when it comes to these trendy desserts. No-fuss garnishes elegantly top the unfrosted, layered dessert. Plus, most recipes call for store-bought or box-mix cake. Dessert doesn’t get easier—or more impressive—than this.
Two-ingredient no-churn ice cream without an ice cream machine {perfect for leftover candy mix-ins}
Do you have a ton of leftover holiday candy lying around that you don’t know what to do with? We literally JUST threw away our old Easter, Valentine’s Day and Halloween candy and now we have a huge bag full of Easter candy to get rid of. 
What’s a girl to do? She finds a way to use it in other recipes, of course.
Specifically, she uses it in two-ingredient no-machine ice cream. The ice cream is delicious all on its own, but when you add candy to it, it becomes absolute perfection. And, then she throws the rest of the candy away, because no one needs that much candy. 
Game day party recipe: RITZ® Crackers sliders with Coca-Cola pulled pork and coleslaw
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BowlTimeSnacks #CollectiveBias 
Around here, football isn’t just a sport. From late summer until the last game is played, Seattle becomes a different place as we all unite for our team. Anyone wearing team colors is greeted with a cheer and usually a discussion on how the season is going. This is especially true for game day when we all come together to celebrate, so it’s best to plan for a crowd if you are home watching the game.
This past weekend was my turn hosting and I knew I wanted to do something a little different. I was looking for something you could eat throughout the day instead of a formal meal, and ideally it would be as hands-off as possible so I could get a chance to watch the game, too.
I headed to the store to see what inspiration struck and within minutes I hit on the perfect game time menu: RITZ® Crackers sliders with Coca-Cola pulled pork and homemade coleslaw. It looks delicious, right? 
Staying healthy and eating well on-the-go with protein at Walmart
We all want to be healthy and have energy for the things we love, but sometimes that can seem really difficult with our busy lifestyles where we are always on the go. I eat really healthy when I’m at home, but all it takes is ending up on the go all day and I struggle with what to eat. Do you cave and go through a drive thru or do you just go without until you can sit down and eat healthier?
I’m learning that a little planning ahead can eliminate this struggle by giving you great tasting food that fits within your health goals. One quick stop at Walmart and you can walk out with the tools you need: Purely Inspired® protein powder and Mission1™ bars that provide you with organic, clean, protein. 
Eating clean and organic has never been easier, and now I won’t have to cave and eat junk on the road for convenience sake. Keeping these bars or protein powder on hand allows me to stay on track and eat well while we’re staying active. So now for those times when the doctor’s appointment runs through lunch or horrendous traffic means I will be late for dinner, I can have a delicious protein bar or shake. 
Taking time for me: my New Years resolution
By Leanne, editor and founder
It’s resolution time!
Do you make New Years resolutions? Every year I make a resolution that helps the family – whether it’s getting a big household project done, making room for growing kids, or taking more family trips. But, this year I’m doing something different. I’m doing something for myself. 
You know how on airplanes they always tell you that in the event of an emergency you should take care of your life jacket or air mask first so you can then help others? As a mom, that has never resonated with me, and I’ve always wondered how I would feel in that situation actually putting on my mask or jacket before my kiddos. I think we can all agree that we would just prefer to not ever be in a situation that required an emergency supply of air or floating in an ocean waiting for rescue, right?
But, what if you use the same line of reasoning to survive the day-to-day tasks with three kiddos in tow? Maybe doing for yourself makes sense because it gives you more that you can then give to others. These days I need to give a lot, and I’m realizing I can’t care for the kids the way I would like if I’m not taking care of myself.
Goodbye 2015, it’s been a great year
By Tyler, editor and reviewer
2015 was a great year all around. Not just for the fact that I finally made that fireplace mantle I'd promised my wife years ago, or our amazing trips together up and down the West Coast as well as our big trip to the Caribbean and then over to Georgia. No, what made this year truly amazing was that we not only added our third {and likely final member} to our little family, and we also made huge strides towards getting healthy, together. 
As you get older you really start to feel your age more. As I've become much more aware of the fact that I'm no longer in my twenties, I've found myself needing to pay a little more attention to personal upkeep. This is where Jenny Craig came in.
You may remember that my wife and I did the Jenny Craig program together in late summer/early fall. But, what you may not know is that after finishing our review period with Jenny Craig, we decided to stick with it a little longer since we were both having such great success in the program.
All the reasons why I love Smith Brothers Farms and why you will, too {$10 off for new customers}
Do you live in the Puget Sound area? If so, you’re probably very familiar with the Smith Brothers Farms insulated milk boxes that sit on many of your neighbors’ front porches. 
Having been a customer of Smith Brothers Farms for almost 5 years, we’ve been asked about the service more times than I can count, and I always say the same thing: going with Smith Brothers Farms was the best thing ever for my family. 
Why do I love Smith Brothers Farms so much? Here are just a few of the reasons why I will never go back to store-bought milk:
Easy entertaining with Hickory Farms
As the member of a big family, we have lots of gatherings each holiday season, and that means we bring food to most of them. Because we know it’s always a hit, we usually do up a cheese and sausage plate from Hickory Farms. 
It’s easy to bring, even with our busy schedules, and it doesn’t require me taking over the kitchen to prepare once we arrive at our destination. But, the best part about this tradition is that it works well both before the meal and after when family and friends are hanging out and snacking.
Hickory Farms has been America’s most famous holiday food gift brand for over 60 years, and it’s perfect for gifting as well as serving at gatherings for family and friends. Hickory Farms helps you enjoy all the little moments by allowing you to cut, serve, and relax while entertaining.
Wellness tips for healthy holiday eating from CTCA
Disclosure: I received compensation for this post as part of a promotional program with CTCA and MomSelect.
It’s hard to find someone whose life hasn’t been impacted by cancer in one way or another. It was a few years ago when doing my annual mole check that the doctor made a comment about how unfortunately it wasn’t a matter of IF my fair skin would develop skin cancer, but rather a matter of WHEN. I suppose that’s not really a shock considering my fair skin, my somewhat rare skin condition that has high malignancy rates, and my family history of cancer.
As scary as hearing that can be, I also feel empowered to keep myself healthy – and that means sun protection like hats and sunscreen, and not putting myself in situations when I would be at risk for overexposure. But, that’s not the only way I am more aware of my health.
I am not just doing it for myself. These precious kiddos need their mama to be as healthy as possible. As you know, I’ve been slowly shedding the baby weight {yay!}, and I’m hitting my goal of 10k steps as often as I can, and I’m determined to make 2016 my healthiest year yet, and why not start now? 