Disclosure:  I received complimentary product in exchange for an honest review.

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You may remember I reviewed a set of these dinosaur pajamas last May.  See my post: Just Like Clark Griswold in My New Dinosaur Pajamas and Enter to Win Your Favorite PJ's! They are still my comfiest, coziest pj's so when I was asked if I wanted to review something for the Christmas season, I decided my husband could use a matching set. Now our three year old thinks we are the coolest parents in the universe in our matching dinosaur pj's. 

Remember the attic scene in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation when Clark got stuck in the attic wearing these dinosaur pajamas.  National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is one of our favorite Christmas movies of all time and now we have our own dinosaur pajamas just like Clark Griswold!  I haven't watched it yet this year.  I can't wait to snuggle in my new pj's and watch the best Christmas movie ever, National Lampoons of course.  

My husband ordered extra large and they seem to fit him well.  He loves his new pj's and wears them all the time.  Mine are medium, but the small probably would have fit just fine.  I am on the tall side so I wanted the extra length of a medium.  These are made from soft velour fabric.  The pants are elastic at the waist and the top is button front.  These are super comfy, the coziest pajamas!  

You too can be as cool as us in our Clark Griswold dinosaur pj selfie.  LOL.  Find these pj's and many more fun Christmas themed pajamas and sweaters at UglyChristmasSweater.com.

Want to win your own favorite pajamas from UglyChristmasSweater.com?  Winner's choice!

Disclosure: This post contains referral links. If you make a purchase through my referral links, I will be compensated. 

I don't usually share this kind of thing, but I am sharing my favorite cash back shopping site with you since today is cyber Monday and the deals are too good not to share. I started using Rakuten last year when I was doing my online Christmas shopping. It used to be called ebates. It is really easy to use. Simply go to Rakuten and sign up. If you sign up through my referral link, you will receive $10 when you make your first purchase of $25 at one of your favorite stores in addition to your cash back. I get the Rakuten emails which helps remind me to shop through their site for cash back.

Each time I shop online I go to Rakuten first and see if the store I am going to shop has a cash back offer that day. I click on the link for the store and shop as usual. After I make a purchase, I receive an email from Rakuten with the amount of my cash back.  So far, I have earned $33.63 cash back. 

Since it is Cyber Monday, the cash back amounts are huge today. Some stores are 20%! My favorite stores that use Rakuten cash back are Land's End, Walmart, Shoes.com, Gap, and Amazon.

Whew!  We're getting close to Thanksgiving and if you are hosting this year, the pressure is on to have everything ready, the house cleaned, menu planned, maybe some Christmas decorations up...you know the drill, lots of lists, shopping, and more lists of all of the things that need to get done.  And on top of all of this, you want to have something amazing to serve your guests. This is no ordinary pecan pie, it is truly the best pecan pie. So make this pecan pie and maybe this brown butter pumpkin pie and call it a #thanksgivingwin. 

To start this pie, you need a good crust.  I have been having really good luck with this never fail pie crust recipe, but I use half butter and half palm oil shortening instead of all butter for a flakier crust. This is a great crust recipe. My husband keeps going on about how good it is and he should be a food critic. If he says it's good, it's really good. 

This pecan pie recipe is really simple to make (like most pecan pie recipes).  You just mix everything together and pour it into your pie crust then bake.  What sets this recipe apart, is that I use half maple syrup and half corn syrup instead of all corn syrup making it so flavorful. 

I don't even know how to describe how good this pie is.  Buttery, caramelly, with a perfect texture balance between the sugary filling and the pecan layer against a flaky, salty crust.  It's perfection. 

The Best Pecan Pie
Ingredients:
​1 unbaked pie crust
​1/3 C. granulated sugar
1/3 C. packed light brown sugar
1/2 C. light corn syrup
1/2 C. maple syrup
5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
3 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C. pecan halves

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2.  Whisk ingredients together to combine and pour into unbaked pie shell. 
3.  Bake 40-45 minutes until crust has browned and filling has set.  I use a pie shield, but you can make foil pie shields to cover the crust edges and protect them from over-browning and leave them on for most of the baking time.  Let pie cool before serving.

Serve with whipped cream and enjoy!  

This is the palm oil shortening that I use.  I have purchased it at Kroger, although the amazon price is comparable.  This is the same pie shield that I use.  It works great and is so easy to set on the crust and not have to worry about over-browning.  I think I paid about the same price in the grocery store for mine. 

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One of my favorite things that I look forward to at Thanksgiving every year is oyster stuffing.  I love good homemade stuffing, oysters or not, but when you add oysters its a whole new level of deliciousness. 

I use a baguette to make this dish because the bread texture works really well for soaking up broth and baking into delicious stuffing. I cut the bread pieces kind of big because it's easier than cutting them smaller, but you can cut them smaller if you like.  Also, you can cut the bread the day before and let it sit in a bowl in the open air to dry out a little, making it perfect for adding to stuffing. 

I know that oysters can be hard to find this time of year and they can be a budget buster.  I can't tell you how many times I have run from store to store the week of Thanksgiving only to find that oysters were sold out everywhere I looked. 

Here is a tip I learned from my mother-in-law that will save you time and money.  You can buy oysters on sale and freeze them.  I have several pints in my freezer that should get me through the holiday season. I just put the whole container in the freezer when I bring them home from the store. If they expand and pop open simply put them in a ziploc bag when thawing in the fridge. I put them in the fridge a day or two to thaw before I will need them for a recipe. 

Servings: 8
Ingredients:
2 ribs celery, diced
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp. rubbed sage (if you have fresh, just mince a sage leaf)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 baguette, cubed 
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/3 cup vegetable or chicken broth
1 pint fresh oysters, drained and chopped

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 

2. In a skillet, saute celery and onion in butter until golden and tender.  Move to a large bowl.

3. Add parsley, poultry seasoning, sage, pepper, and bread cubes to the onion mixture. 

4. Mix eggs, broth, and oysters then add to the bread mixture.  Stir to combine. 
 
5. Spoon into a greased (I use butter) 2 qt. baking dish.  Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then uncover and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden brown.  

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Disclosure:  I received products to facilitate this post.  All opinions are honest and are my own.

This kefir labneh is so creamy, rich, and flavorful. It's perfect when you want a healthy snack or appetizer.  If you are not familiar with Labneh, it's a creamy middle eastern dip.  This kefir labneh is not only delicious, it has all the beneficial probiotics of kefir. 

Made from strained kefir, salt, olive oil, and za’atar (a middle eastern seasoning), this Labneh is so easy to prepare.  

Simply strain kefir in a colander or strainer lined with cheese cloth.  This will separate the liquid from the cream which will be the consistency of sour cream. 

Then mix in some za’atar seasoning and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.  

I serve with our favorite, warm naan, cucumber spears, and olives.  This is often served with pita bread. 

You can purchase Lifeway Kefir products at Walmart Supercenter, Kroger, & Neighborhood Co-op Groceries.  For more delicious recipes and tips follow Lifeway on facebook, twitter, pinterest, and instagram. 

Ingredients:
32 oz. Lifeway plain whole milk kefir
Cheesecloth
Dash salt
Extra virgin olive oil
​Za’atar seasoning

For dipping:
Nann or pita bread
Cucumber spears
Olives 
Pita chips

1.  Stir a dash of salt into the kefir.  
2.  Place several layers of cheese cloth (I use 4) in a strainer or colander. 
3. Place the strainer or colander in another bowl that is deep enough that when the liquid drains off the cream it will not sit in the liquid. Pour the kefir over the cheese cloth in the strainer. Wrap, fold, or tie the cheese cloth edges over the top of the kefir. Place the entire straining system in the fridge. Leave in the fridge for 18-36 hours or more.  It will be thicker the longer you leave it. 
4. Remove from the straining system.  Scrape the labneh cream into a bowl. 
5. Mix in some za’atar seasoning.  Start with 1/2 tsp and season to taste.  Drizzle with olive oil and top with more za’atar. 
6. Serve with nann, pita bread, cucumber spears, olives, pita chips and anything else you like.  

​Refrigerate any leftovers. 

​I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

To be honest, I don't normally use much hand sanitizer.  I find it dries my skin and I think I should build up my immune system.  However, there are times when I do reach for hand sanitizer like when I am changing a diaper in the car and don't have access to soap and running water. 

After trying Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers, I have to admit, they don't dry my skin and they smell amazing!  Next time I need hand sanitizer, this is the one I want.  

Plus, they are made with Tea Tree Oil, Thyme, Elderberry and Echinacea naturally reducing bacteria. And these hand sanitizers deliver good bacteria courtesy of probiotic-packed Kefir, which nourishes and conditions the skin.  

Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers Use a patented technology to create a “membrane” around the probiotic to protect it from the antibacterial formula.  Probiotic benefits will be delivered after the sanitizer activity completes. This means the sanitizer doesn’t kill the probiotic, and the probiotic doesn’t neutralize the sanitizer.  The bad bacteria is eliminated, and the probiotic thrives.

Try it for yourself and save!  
Use promo code DEprobioticpower to get 30% off Desert Essence Probiotic Hand Sanitizers at  desertessence.com.

French onion soup is one of my favorite soups of all time with its brothy goodness, caramelized onions, and cheesy crusty bread.  I know it's a little early in the season for soups, but we enjoy soup anytime of year and it is officially fall after all.  If there is any chance of rain or the weather cools down a few degrees it puts me in the mood for a good bowl of soup.  

It takes a little while to caramelize the onions and then to simmer the soup, but it is so worth the wait and your kitchen will smell amazing.

This recipe makes a big pot of soup since we have four hungry boys, but you could halve it for 3-4 people.  

Swiss or Gruyère are commonly used to top French onion soup, but Monterey jack is a kid friendly choice too.  

French Onion Soup
Ingredients:
3 lbs. onions, sliced (about 6)
Olive oil
4 T. butter
2 cloves, garlic minced
Fresh ground salt and pepper
¼ tsp. ground thyme
3 T. flour
1 C. red wine
2 (32 oz.) cartons beef broth
1 baguette
Shredded Swiss, Gruyère, or Monterey jack (kid friendly) cheese

1.  Heat stock pot or Dutch oven to medium heat.  Drizzle a large swirl of olive oil in pot.  Add butter.  Let warm then add sliced onions, minced garlic, thyme, salt and pepper.

2.  Cover and cook the onions until nice and caramelized, stirring occasionally for about 30 minutes or so.

3.  Add flour and toss to coat.

4.  Add wine, stirring to deglaze pot and cook for about 5 minutes to reduce wine.

5.  Add beef broth and continue to simmer covered for 25-30 minutes.

6.  Slice baguette.  Butter slices on one side and bake at 375 degrees F for 6-8 minutes to lightly toast.

7.  Ladle soup into oven safe bowls, top with bread, shredded cheese and broil until golden brown and cheese is melted.

Serves 6-8.  You can easily halve this recipe to serve 3-4.  

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored, but all opinions are honest and are my own.  #dinnereggs

Roasted brussels sprouts are one of our favorite things to eat.  Add eggs and you have a complete meal in one pan.  Simple and incredibly delicious!  

Our boys love brussels sprouts and eggs so this one pan balsamic roasted brussels sprouts with eggs is a hit in our house.  

Tender, caramelized, bacony, balsamic brussels sprouts that almost melt in your mouth with perfectly baked eggs nestled among them.  Dinner doesn't get much better than this.  

Balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Eggs
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25-35 minutes

Ingredients:
2 lbs. brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 small sweet onion, diced
6 slices bacon, chopped
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Fresh ground salt and pepper
Wedge parmesan cheese
6 eggs

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
2.  Spray or brush a large sided baking pan with olive oil.
3.  In a large bowl, combine the brussels sprouts, onion, and bacon.  Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  Salt and pepper.  Stir to combine.  
4.  Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until brussels sprouts are fork tender and caramelized.
5.  Then remove from the oven and make wells to nestle the eggs in.  Gently place eggs into each well.  
6.  Shred some fresh parmesan over the dish and salt and pepper again to taste.  
7.  Bake another 5-7 minutes to cook eggs to desired doneness.  


Note:  I cook the rest of the bacon separately as a side since I have a house full of boys with bottomless stomachs and because who doesn't love extra bacon?

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

These aren't your everyday run of the mill cheese puffs.  Fit Crunch puffs are packed with protein plus they don't have gluten, GMOs, soy, sugar alcohols, trans fats, artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners. Providing a guilt free option when you want a savory, crunchy snack.  

They are also irresistible to little ones when you are trying to photograph them.  It's a wonder this doesn't happen more often since I am always photographing food around the kids.  LOL.  They are deliciously cheesy and yes you will need wet wipes handy.  They even sent a package of wet wipes with these Fit Crunch High Protein Puffs.  Always good to be prepared around cheesy hands!  

Reader deal!
Save $5 when you purchase FITCRUNCH Cheddar Cheese High Protein Puffs on Amazon with the promo code 5OFF4FITMOM. Offer ends November 14, 2019.

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored, but all opinions are honest and are my own.  #dinnereggs

If you haven't had migas yet, it's a Tex-Mex version of eggs with fried tortilla strips.  The word migas means crumbs.  The Spanish version uses bread crumbs and the Tex-Mex version uses tortilla strips.  

Migas are a fun way to spice up your dinner routine.  Your base is tortilla strips and eggs.  Then you can add vegetables, cheeses, and even a little crumbled pancetta, bacon, or leftover meat to make them to your liking.  So quick and easy...no dinner plans, no problem.  Nothing to thaw, you can whip these up in no time.  

First, I cut some short tortilla strips and pan fry in a little peanut oil.  You can use your favorite frying oil.  They don't take very long, just until crisped.  I then lift them out of the pan and set them aside. Sprinkle with a little salt and they are ready for migas.  I like to use the oil to fry more tortillas to serve with this Tex-Mex dinner.  I cut additional tortillas into triangles and make chips.  You can carefully pour the oil off into another dish and wipe out this pan with a paper towel to make migas or use another skillet for the migas.  

Migas
Serves: 6-8
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10-15 minutes (frying tortillas and then cooking eggs)

Ingredients:
6 yellow corn tortillas, plus extra if making homemade chips
Small amount of peanut or other frying oil
Small amount of butter and olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and diced (you can use less for kids, but it does add so much good flavor)
​2 roma tomatoes, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 dozen eggs 
1/4 cup half & half
Fresh ground salt and pepper 

Serve with:
Salsa
Sliced Avocado
Guacamole
Refried beans
Homemade tortilla chips
Cilantro
Rice
Shredded monterey jack, mexican blend, or cotija cheese

1.  Cut tortillas with kitchen shears and fry in a small amount of oil.  Set tortilla strips aside and lightly salt.  You can then make tortilla chips with extra oil and corn tortillas or move on to the migas.  
2.  If using the same skillet, drain off oil and wipe out skillet.  Then add a pat of butter and a small drizzle of olive oil to the skillet.  
3.  Over medium heat, saute onion, peppers, tomatoes, and garlic until softened.  
4.  Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a large mixing bowl with 1/4 C. half and half.  
5.  Once the vegetables have softened, add tortilla strips to the skillet.  
6.  Then add the egg mixture, stirring gently, almost folding.  Salt and pepper.  Cook until almost done, creamy and soft.  It will continue to cook in the pan after you remove it from the heat.  

Serve with cilantro, cheese, and your favorite Tex-Mex dinner sides.