Semi-Homemade Sticky Buns

This post is sponsored by the Puff Pastry brand but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

If anyone knows me, they know I love breakfast/brunch.  I also love sweets.  So when I can combine the two and eat my sweets for breakfast - hey, that's a win for me!  But let's face it, I'm an adult and I eat what I want when I want.. ha!  I just feel less guilty when it's a "breakfast sweet".  ;)

For this recipe, I used Puff Pastry.. making this a semi-homemade treat.  I love how light, airy, and flaky Puff Pastry is, and how easy it is to work with!  It's so versatile that it can be used for breakfast, dinner, sweet, savory, appetizers.. there are so many options.  Anyone can make this recipe, it's that easy.  They were all gone by the next day because my kids (and husband) couldn't keep their hands off of them.

Semi-Homemade Sticky Buns

            For the Sticky Buns

• 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 package (2 sheets) Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry

            For the Filling

• 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar
• 3 tsp cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 400ºF.  Use a stand or hand mixer, cream 1 1/2 sticks of butter and 1/3 cup light brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Divide the butter mixture between between a 12-cup muffin tin.  Divide the chopped pecans and sprinkle on top of the butter mixture in the tins.  

Unfold the first sheet of your Puff Pastry and brush the whole thing with melted butter.  Sprinkle half of the cinnamon and brown on top.  Roll up the pastry tightly, starting with the edge closest to you.  End it with the seam side down and cut off the ends.  Then cut the roll into 6 equal pieces and place into the muffin tins with the spiral side down.  Repeat with the second Puff Pastry sheet.  

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the muffin tin on top of that to catch any spills.  Bake the sticky buns for 25 to 30 minutes or until they are firm and golden.  Let cool in the pan for just a few minutes before inverting them.  Make sure to scrape any extra toppings from the tins - don't let that good stuff go to waste!

As you can see, my kid is about ready to go in for the kill.  These didn't last long at all.. and I plan on making more very soon!  We have family coming in for Easter this year and I think these will be part of a perfect brunch!  

The Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets are perfect for these little treats.  And these are fun for kids to help with also - Clara loved sprinkles on the pecans!  Easter is coming up, you should make a test run beforehand.  ;)

Vitality Blend Banana Breakfast Smoothie

This post is sponsored by Viance Nutrition but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I am a huge smoothie person.  I love them any time of day, but especially in the mornings because I find that they're easy and quick for when I need to get out the door.

To make this Breakfast Smoothie recipe, I used Viance Vitality Blend.  It's a meal replacement shake, but I made it into this delicious breakfast smoothie.  No more worries about getting good nutrition in the morning.  After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right??

I've been making this smoothie every morning for about a week now, and I love it!  It keeps me satisfied all morning and best of all, I know I'm getting the fuel and nutrition that my body needs to keep going through the day!

This recipe is easy, and tasty!  If you give it a go, let me know what you think!

Vitality Blend Banana Breakfast Smoothie

• 1 Scoop Viance Vitality Blend
• 3/4 cup vanilla almond milk
• 1 banana, frozen
• Handful of ice

Blend until smooth, and start getting that nutrition in!

They also have a handful of other wonderful products.. such as their greens formula which is exactly like juicing (but without the mess) and their brownie bites.  They are the perfect snack to take on the go!

Check out Viance, you'll be happy you did!

Valentine Gift Round Up

I think Valentine's Day is just a fun little holiday.  Especially now that I have kids.. but I truly think kids just make everything more fun.  ;)  I had the chance to review a few products from Uncommon Goods for this Valentine's Day, and let me tell you.. if you haven't ever heard of them or bought anything from them, you NEED to!  They have some fun and unique gifts and products.  There's definitely something everyone would love.  If you need a last minute gift for Valentine's Day.. or any day.. you must scope this out!

A little background on Uncommon Goods.. it was founded in 1999 in Brooklyn, New York.  They feature unique items like household gifts, jewelry, and other handcrafted items.  They make it their mission to support and give independent artists and designers a platform.  They also have various nonprofits including RAINN, American Forests, and Reach Out & Read.  How cool is that?!

Some of my favorite things from Uncommon Goods are the Cocoa Butter Truffles Bathtub Soaks, the Oven to Table Entertaining Platter, and the Garlic Grater and Oil Dipping Dish.  If you want to peruse the Valentine's gift section... here is a great start:

• Valentine's Gifts
• Valentine's Gifts For Husbands
• Valentine's Gifts For Women

Everything I have bought from Uncommon Goods has been of the best quality, plus their customer service is outstanding!  You can't go wrong with buying a gift from there, because I guarantee you it will be something unique and special!

Have you ever bought anything from Uncommon Goods?  If so, what? 

Healthy Hydration with detoxwater

I recently had the opportunity to try out detoxwater™, a healthy hydration alternative that not only quenches thirst but supports your overall health... and yes, it does taste good!  It comes in three delicious flavors - Original (Lychee & White Grape), Mangaloe, and Pinamint.  Mangaloe is definitely my jam.

I'm all about better myself and my health, not only for me but for my family as well.  Detoxwater™ has just 30 calories per bottle and provides all the quality benefits of aloe juice.  It's known for immune support, healthy digestion, healthy skin, and nutrient absorption.  I'm pretty sure it's worth all that!

The ACTIValoe® in each bottle of detoxwater™ delivers the plethora of health benefits associated with drinking the most premium aloe in the world.  I like drinking it any time of the day.. but especially in the morning, when I'm getting ready to take on the day.  

If you're wanting to take a step in a healthier direction this coming New Year... this is a great place to start.  I like to keep them at home.. in the fridge, by my bed.. at work, and even my gym bad.  It's great for after those long, hard workouts for sure!  

If you're interested in stocking up on detoxwater™ for yourself, head over to their website and type in the promo code ALOE30 to get 30% off the product.  That's a pretty darn good deal!  

Be sure to visit detoxwater™ on Facebook and Instagram.. as well as their site to learn more about their story.

This post is sponsored by detoxwater™, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Reminiscing {with WaterWipes}

This post was sponsored by WaterWipes as part of an Ambassador Program for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.  I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

The first year of my kids lives.. are some of the sweetest, scariest, messiest moments of my life.  They are the moments I wouldn't trade for anything, no matter how frustrated or tired I was, I would stop and look at the sweet little faces who didn't want anything but me.  Their mama.

Thinking about that now, it's really something.  I stayed at home with Clara for the first two years and boy those could be some trying times.  But I wasn't "just" a mom.  I was everything to them.. I was their whole world.  I was the first person they wanted in the morning and the last person they wanted at night.. and at about 5 different times in the middle of the night. ;) And that is the most important job I could ever have, even still as they grow.    

Watching them grow and learn is absolutely my favorite part of being a parent.  Growing to laugh and smile.. learning to crawl and feed themselves.  It's like a never-ending heart-bursting life journey.

I mean, look how fun they are to feed.. and cute, too!

I wish I would have had WaterWipes with my daughter, but I am thankful to have them with my son.  WaterWipes are all-natural... chemical free and contains only TWO ingredients:  99.9% pure Irish water and 0.1% grapefruit seed extract.  They are gentle and easy on delicate and sensitive skin (which my son does have).  They are proven safe for newborns on up.

I love this video that was put together.. moms who use WaterWipes and love them.. reminiscing on their childs first year.  So many emotions!  If I have any advice for a new mom.. it would be to just breathe it all in.  The days are long, but the years are short.  Enjoy that soft baby skin, those chubby cheeks, and all the milestones.  And take care of of the delicate skin with WaterWipes.  ;)

You can visit WaterWipes on Facebook, WWW, and Instagram!

A Mom Must-Have (TempTraq)

Here it comes.

Weather change, sickness, sniffles, and fevers.  It's inevitable, so you best be prepared!  I always make sure I have vapor rub, fever meds, and lots of kleenex stocked in our home.  Don't forget the thermometer to keep track of temperature spikes!

Then there's TempTraq.  This is a genius new gadget... it's a wearable Bluetooth temperature monitor patch that you can put on your child and it will continually keep track of their body temperature for up to 24 hours.  There's no need to wake them or disturb them while they're resting to check the temp.  It works with Apple OR Android phones through the TempTraq app and can also keep track of when your child eats, drink, and takes medicine in addition to the temperature monitoring.

All you have to do it apply the soft patch (totally comfortable!) under your childs arm and it will send alerts to your phone through their app.

There have been times - this one time in particular earlier this year - Sam was just 10 months old and his temperature was slowly rising even with meds.  I always felt awful for having to disturb him when he would finally fall asleep and I would have to stick the thermometer under his arm again.  I'm looking forward to having this stocked in my house this season, so I can give him all the sicky cuddles without making him uncomfortable every couple hours.

This little gadget is completely safe to use and is an FDA cleared medical device.  All my pregnant friends, this is definitely something I would want on my baby registry, too!