LITTLE ANGELS ABC’s, ANIMALS, and 1,2,3’s, DVD OUT FEBRUARY 14

LITTLE ANGELS is an animated DVD series and has been created for pre-school aged children to teach practical learning skills like ABCs and numbers. The series is presented in a captivating and entertaining format that will help parents to teach their little angels a big love of learning while also providing hours of fun to enjoy together with exciting DVD extras arriving in DVD February 14.

Featuring a great deal of interactive DVD extras including charming music videos and downloadable activity sheets, plus a downloadable bonus digital copy of each lesson that will allow for learning on the go, the LITTLE ANGELS ABC’s, LITTLE ANGELS ANIMALS, and LITTLE ANGELS 1, 2, 3’s DVDs are a great value moms can feel good about sharing with their little angels. The DVD series is timed perfectly to be available just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Little Angels App

The Little Angels App is currently available on iTunes and features the Daily Prayer – read by Roma Downey with illustrations and interactive scenes from the Little Angels videos. The App also includes games like Uri’s Painting Game where little ones can paint and color images from the Little Angels videos and The Matching Game which will challenge your kids’ memory as they search for the angels hiding behind the clouds.

Little Angels CDs

Inspired by the lessons found on each Little Angel DVD, these 15-song collections contain original songs written and produced by the best-selling team that made Worship Jamz, the #1 selling children’s music in America for three consecutive years. Kids will clap, jump, sing-a-long and smile, and its music that parents can enjoy and join the fun as their children learn valuable life and Biblical lessons.

Each enhanced CD includes four music videos, coloring pages and colorful lyric pages for every song.

Each CD collection also includes song-writing by Roma Downey with vocal and instrumental contributions from Roma's own children. Engaging, educational and faith-affirming, these CDs will be found in music players, cars and portable devices – wherever the children are listening! And many songs will be introduced by a Little Angel DVD audio segment to make the listening experience more fun and engaging.

Little Angels Books

Based on the characters in the Little Angels DVDs, the books feature bright and colorful artwork, entertaining stories, and meaningful lessons. In ANGELS WATCHING OVER US, twins Alex and Zoe are squabbling over whether to swing or play ball. Soon the Angels appear to teach the children the concept of cooperation, and the twins learn that they can have more fun if they work and play together. In THANKFUL FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS, Alex is having a bad day! But when the Angels lead him in a gratitude game, Alex and Zoe learn that they have much to be thankful for and that all of their blessings come from God.

For more about LITTLE ANGELS go to
http://www.facebook.com/romaslittleangels?ref=ts
http://www.littleangels.com

LITTLE ANGELS ABC’s Features

• Little Lessons with Roma Downey
• Sing-along Music Videos:
  • Easy as ABC
  • G-H-I, Me Oh My
  • Q to the R to the S
  • W-X-Y-Z
• Downloadable Activity Sheets
• Downloadable Digital Copy – for Learning on the Go!
• Spanish Language Track

LITTLE ANGELS Animals Features

• Little Lessons with Roma Downey
• Sing-along Music Videos:
  • Adam Gave Them Names
  • Noah Built an Ark
  • Jonah Was Fish Bait
  • Pomegranates, Penguins
• Downloadable Digital Copy – for Learning on the Go!
• Spanish Language Track

LITTLE ANGELS 123’s Features

• Little Lessons with Roma Downey
• Sing-along Music Videos:
  • Goliath Didn’t Like Rock Music
  • Joshua, Get Those Trumpets Blowin’
  • Be Sure to Say Thank You
  • All You Can Eat Fish Dinner
• Downloadable Digital Copy – for Learning on the Go!
• Spanish Language Track
  
  
  
  

Veggie Meals That Boost Your Metabolism!!!

In my quest to a healthier me and body. I ran across a great article from Fitsugar that boost your metabolism.  If you want to help give your metabolism a little boost, Their are tons of great foods you can give a try.Here are some recipes that will keep you feeling full, but will also increase your calorie burn.

Eat Your Breakfast

Why is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Because it jump-starts your metabolism and keeps you energized. Whole grains are one such way to get your engines running, by filling your stomach and slowing digestion.

INGREDIENTS
Dry:
1 c rolled oats
1/2 c raw buckwheat groats
1/4 c almonds, roughly chopped
2 tbsp whole flax seeds
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Wet:
2 tbsp raw almond butter
2-3 tbsp agave syrup (sub maple syrup or honey if you prefer, and how sweet you like your granola)
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350* and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix all dry ingredients in a big bowl. Heat wet ingredients in a small sauce pan (or in microwave- I don't own one so I use stovetop) until boiling and immediately pour over dry ingredients. Mix with a spoon until dry mixture is completely coated. Pour mixture onto parchment paper and bake for 22 minutes. Take out of oven and let cool for another 15 minutes. Break up granola and keep stored in a glass jar. This makes just a little over 3 cups! Ea with milk, sprinkled over oatmeal, yogurt, fruit...or just straight out of the jar with a spoon

Spice Is Nice

Incorporating spices like like chili, turmeric, and cinnamon to your food is an easy way to add calorie-burning properties to your next meal. Try this vegetarian mango tofu bowl recipe in addition to the spice element, it packs in many elements that will boost metabolism, like apple cider vinegar and protein-packed tofu and quinoa.

INGREDIENTS
Mango sauce:
* 3/4 cup organic apple juice
* 1 mango, pit removed
* 1/4 cup lemon juice
* 1/4 cup coconut water vinegar or apple cider vinegar
* 1/4 cup sunflower oil
* 1/4 cup sugar free ketchup
* 1/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice
* 2 tbsp braggs liquid aminos or soy sauce
* 1-2 jalapenos
* 1/4 tsp Himalayan rock salt
* 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
* 3 tbsp filtered water
* 1.5 tbsp arrowroot powder or 1 tbsp corn starch
Veggies + protein
* 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken, sliced into 1/2-inch thick strips or 2 blocks of GMO free firm tofu, pressed and cut into slices
* 4 medium onions , diced
* 3 cups snow peas
* 2 red peppers, diced small
* 1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
High protein rice mix
* 4.5 cups water
* 1.5 cups brown basmati rice
* 1/2 cup red/white quinoa
* 1 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil

DIRECTIONS
To make the sauce: add all ingredients but cilantro, water, and arrowroot in a blender and process until smooth. Transfer to a medium sized saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 20minutes. Meanwhile, combine water and arrowroot in a small bowl. Once simmering is complete, add arrowroot mixture and whisk. Cook for 1 minute. Add chopped cilantro and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from heat and set aside.
To make protein: preheat oven to 375F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for chicken, or oil for tofu. If you’re cooking a bit of both, you can separate the sheet with a foil wall. Coat the tofu pieces in the mango sauce and bake chicken/tofu for 30-40 minutes until tofu is browning at the corners and/or chicken is cooked through with no pink.
To make veggies: Add coconut oil and onions to a large frying pan [I used cast iron]. Allow to cook for 3 minutes before adding remaining ingredients + 1/3 cup mango sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
For the rice mix: Add all ingredients to a rice cooker or large saucepan and cook until soft [about 30 minutes]
Throw it all together, pour some mango sauce on top, and you have yourself a delicious dinner!
Makes 6 rice bowls and ~3 cups of sauce

Warm Me Up

Here's another spicy lunch or dinner idea. In addition to the benefits of metabolism-boosting peppers  black bean Chipotle Soup recipe is packed with protein, which has also been proven to aid in boosting metabolism. 

Vegetarian Chipotle Black Bean Soup
Follows these instructions to substitute a slow cooker for the Dutch oven in this recipe, decrease water to 3 cups. Cover and cook on high for about six hours, or until beans are tender.

Ingredients
For the soup:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium-size yellow onions, chopped
1 medium-size red bell pepper, chopped
1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
4 teaspoons ground cumin
2 bay leaves
1 16-ounce package dried black beans
2 1/2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chiles
4 cups water
4 cups vegetable broth (chicken broth can be used as a substitute)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For the garnish:
1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup chopped seeded plum tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions

1. Heat olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and bell peppers and sauté until beginning to brown. Add garlic, bay leaves, and cumin; sauté for just under a minute.
2. Transfer mixture to 6-quart Dutch oven. Add beans, chipotles, water, and broth. Simmer on stove top until mixture reaches a boil.
3. Turn off heat, cover, and remove from stove top. Place into the oven and cook at 275°F until beans are very tender, about three hours. Make sure to check on the beans while cooking. If they look to dry, add more broth or water.
4. Remove Dutch oven from stove and transfer two cups of the bean mixture to blender; puree until smooth. Return puree to Dutch oven. Stir in lime juice, salt, and pepper.
5. Top each serving with a dollop of yogurt, tomatoes, and cilantro

WARRIOR DASH MARCH 17, 2012

  I'm totally hooked on Warrior Dash.  Its a 3.5 mile obstacle course  that has 11 different courses to go through. After going through their website. I'm convinced this is the race I want to do . And not only that before and after the Race their is great live entertainment , beer and lots of Food.

What you Get:
Every participant will go home with some sweet gear:

1. Warrior helmet
2. Warrior Dash shirt
3. Custom Warrior Dash medal

WHERE:

Creekside Edge Off-Road Park
13580 Highway 59
Splendora, TX 77372

WHAT:
3.21 hellish miles

Price :

$65 and up  until 11:59pm* on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012
Click HERE to see pricing schedule.

My New Obsession ( To Actually Do my Resolution List)

I know many of us starting the New year start with a New years resolution ..lose weight.. Try harder... Be a better person. But who actually goes through with doing everything you sought out doing and actually sticking with it . In the past I can admit.I've made the pact and have yet to go through with it past a week or so. I wanted this year to be a little different for me. I'm 32 years and have yet to really say "IM DOING THIS !!!! Running marathon or even a race. I admire those who year after year do everything they sought out to do. My sister being one of those people. She always has done everything she always put her mind to. Me .. I'd always have the kids excuse, working or my husband . With really seeing for the first time the life is so short ...do I really want to die without doing anything I really wanted to do my whole life . In saying that I started my year a little different this year . Making a list of not any one resolution but 10 . This list is really of things that I always talked about doing but could never get around doing or starting.

New years resolution:

1) Lose 20 pounds and build lean muscle.
Returning to my High school weight has been something I've talked about for years. I've been a roller coaster year after year , diet after diet but yet to fell every time. I've already made a committed . I've already taken some measures to making that goal. I'll will be posting my entries has my weight goes which leads me to my next resolution on my list.
2)Growing my blog with entries almost everyday and getting a greater reader and Blog followers. My content may change or things may be added.Has health and beauty are a big thing for me this year. Given that I had been a at home mommy for the last 3-5 years . Shopping and Shoes have been become an Obsession.
3)Becoming a better follower through the lords eyes !
4)Give more of my time for a needful cause and have my children do the same.
5)Run a marathon or race ..anything !
6) Sky Dive !
7) SWIM in a pool, learn different stokes and do tons of laps.
8)Write a book
9) Travel.... anywhere!!
10) LIVE EACH DAY WITHOUT ANY REGETS OF WHAT I DID AND WISH I SHOULD HAVE DONE !

WE BOUGHT A ZOO : A MUST SEE FAMILY MOVIE

WE BOUGHT A ZOO is a funny, inspiring and true story about the magical power of family to persevere in the face of extraordinary challenges.  This is acclaimed filmmaker Cameron Crowe’s (Jerry Maguire) first motion picture for all audiences, and stars Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson and Thomas Haden Church.  Damon portrays a single dad who, looking to give his family a much needed fresh start, moves to a home situated in the middle of a zoo, which he and his two children will attempt to bring back to its once glorious state.  The film weaves together warmth, laughter and a spirit of optimism that is perfect for the holiday season.

DIY Friendship Bracelet

Here's a friendship bracelet DIY from Honestly WTF. Its step by step tutorial on the classic chevron pattern is a breeze . This is a great DIY Xmas gift for those special friends that you may have.

You’ll need:

• embroidery thread
• a safety pin or tape
• a pair of scissors

How to Make a Sunburst Mirror

 Our Friend over at The nester shows us how to make a Great Sunburst Mirror  on a budget. I love this great tutorial .

Rose Cake Tutorial

 

I've been in baker mode since Thanksgiving and was lucky enough to find this great tutorial on a Rose cake . Its has great pictures on the Hows do. Which is always helpful for me and more motivating to get me going . Please head toward are friend at i am baker for this great visual tutorial and more great baking tutorials.

Hard Rock Cafe's 40th Anniversary $4 Rockin' Meal

Hard Rock Cafe is giving any Legendary Burger, fries, and a 20 oz. Pepsi beverage is just $4 for its 40th Anniversary. Deal apples to  the first 400,000 to register online deal.

Crayola Crayons 24 pk $0.25 at Toys r Us

Toys R Us has Crayola Crayons 24 pk. on sale 4/$1 through tomorrow (11/5).

Books for Halloween

 

Halloween jack-o'-lanterns

by Kathryn Stevens
It's a jack-o'-lantern! Find out the origin of jack-o'-lanterns, how did Halloween get started, why do we have jack-o'-lanterns on Halloween, and more!

 

 

 

Los gatos black on Halloween

by Marisa Montes

Easy to read, rhyming text about Halloween night incorporates Spanish words, from las brujas riding their broomsticks to los monstruos whose monstrous ball is interrupted by a true horror.

 

 

The Halloween Kid

by Rhode Montijo
The brave and trusty Halloween Kid saves trick-or-treaters from a crowd of sweet-stealing Goodie Goblins.

AlphaOops! H is for Halloween

by Alethea Kontis

While putting on a Halloween pageant, the alphabet mixes things up with some spooky, and funny, results.

And Then Comes Halloween

by Tom Brenner
When nighttime creeps closer to suppertime and the sky is that certain deep blue, then it's time to get ready for Halloween!

Scary, Scary Halloween

by Eve Bunting
A band of trick-or-treaters and a mother cat and her kittens spend a very scary Halloween.

Rotten Ralph's Trick or Treat!

by Jack Gantos
Sarah's rotten cat Ralph goes to a Halloween costume party dressed as her and creates horrible mischief under the protection of his disguise.

Cliffords Halloween/Clifford y el dí de Halloween (Spanish)

by Norman Bridwell
Clifford is an enormous red dog who dressed as a ghost last Halloween; what will his costume be this year?

Halloween (Spanish)

by Jennifer Blizin Gillis
Presents background information on the origins and traditions of customs related to the celebration of Halloween, translated into Spanish.

Whip up a Fruity Smoothie in Seconds.

1. Strawberry-Banana Blend 1 banana, 1 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup each vanilla yogurt and milk, 2 teaspoons honey, a pinch of cinnamon and 1 cup ice.

3. Strawberry Shortcake Blend 2 cups strawberries, 1 cup crumbled pound cake, 1 1/2 cups each milk and ice, and sugar to taste. Top with whipped cream and more strawberries.

4. Triple-Berry Blend 1 1/2 cups mixed blackberries, strawberries and raspberries with 1 cup each milk and ice, and sugar to taste.
5. Raspberry-Orange Blend 1 cup each orange juice and raspberries, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 cup ice, and sugar to taste.
6. Peach-Mango-Banana Blend 1 cup each chopped fresh or frozen peaches and mango, 1 cup each plain yogurt and ice, 1/2 banana, and sugar to taste.

7. Honeydew-Almond Blend 2 cups chopped honeydew melon, 1 cup each almond milk and ice, and honey to taste.

8. Cantaloupe Blend 2 cups chopped cantaloupe, the juice of 1/2 lime, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 cup water and 1 cup ice.

9. Carrot-Apple Blend 1 cup each carrot juice and apple juice with 1 1/2 cups ice.
10. Spa Cucumber Peel, seed and chop 2 medium cucumbers. Blend with the juice of 1 lime, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup ice and 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar or honey.

Baskin-Robbins Announces Cake Bites

Mini desserts are one of the biggest food trends of 2011 and Baskin-Robbins newest product Cake Bites is right in line with this trend.  Cake Bites are elegantly decorated miniature desserts that marry cake and ice cream into one mini dessert - reminiscent of French petit fours. Enrobed in decadent white and dark chocolate, ganache and caramel drizzle—Cake Bites are the perfect treat indulgent treat for one or to server guests while entertaining this holiday season.

 

Ice cream and dessert fanatics can purchase at any one of the 18 Houston area stores, they are time savers when in need of a delicious dessert but also want to impress guests. These desserts pair well with coffee, hot chocolate or wine.  

 

Cake Bites are available now and can be purchased individually or in a mix-n-match 4-pack.  They cost $2.99 (SRP) for a single Cake Bite or $9.99 (SRP) for a box of 4. Cake Bites come in the following flavors:

• Double Chocolate – Chocolate ice cream over chocolate cake, enrobed with chocolate ganache and finished with a chocolate accent.
• Praline Caramel – Pralines ‘n Cream ice cream over white cake enrobed with white chocolate ganache and  finished with caramel drizzle and chopped pralines.
• Chocolate Mint – Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream over chocolate cake, enrobed with chocolate ganache and finished with white chocolate drizzle.
• Vanilla Blondie – Vanilla ice cream over white cake, enrobed with white chocolate ganache and finished with chocolate accent.

Please visit www.baskinrobbins.com/storelocator to find your local store. Become a fan on the Facebook fan page or follow @BaskinRobbins on Twitter. 

FEED BAGS

             I have noticed and been inspired by my favorite celebrities when they utilize fabulous and chic items that also bring social awareness. Such is the case with Reese Witherspoon, Tobey MacGuire, Marcia Cross, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, and Teri Hatcher, who have been endorsing the reusable bags of the FEED foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Lauren Bush.

The concept of FEED is simple. Purchase their stylish and eco-friendly bags, and proceeds immediately go to feeding children from all over the world through the United Nations World Food Program's (WFP) School Feeding operations.

     

TODAYS LUNCH @ RUGGLES GREEN CITYCENTRE

Ruggles Green in Houston is Houston's First Certified Green Restaurant . They have an amazing menu such as the 98% Lean Buffalo Burger, the Wood-Fired Quinoa Mac & Cheese and the very tasty Veggie-Nut Hemp Burger. They also offer Wood-fired Organic Pizzas that are Heavenly!  Prices are also really affordable. They start off at $5 dollars for your basic child meal to about $16.  Ruggles Green Citycentre is also the 1st Restaurant in Texas to be awarded a 4 star Certification by the Green Restaurant Association. Today I took the liberty to have your Classic Cheeseburger and Sweet Potato fries. My First bite into this burger was amazing. It had the right amount of green leaf , swiss cheese , purple onions . It was great. And my sweet potato fries really finished off the meal.  I rate Ruggles Green CityCentre my top places to eat here in Houston CityCentre.

CITYCENTRE Location
801 Town And Country Blvd. 1B
Houston, Texas 77024
tel. 713.464.555

Save the Planet While Lunchin

                                                          

That's right ... you can make an impact and help save our planet. Really! Here's one way to start: Pack your lunch in a reusable bag. Easy and effective. If you stop throwing out a paper sack every day, that adds up. We've got you thinking, don't we?

Reusing means you're not only using stuff again, it means less energy is being used to make more stuff. And that means you are keeping waste out of our landfills, less energy from being processed and less resources from being consumed — all from bringing a reusable lunch bag. Talk about not taking much to make quite an impact.

Now, keep thinking with us. You're using that lunch bag again and again. Know what else you're doing? Saving money. That's right! A penny saved is a penny earned and you just proved it. Reusing is an eco-nomical thing to do too.

Happy Saving-The-Planet-During-Lunch!

                                              

EVERSAVE LAUNCH IN HOUSTON FOR GREAT DEALS

Eversave works day and night to negotiate the very best deals for you on all the things you love. From spas and restaurants to lift tickets and yoga classes – Eversave delivers these local discounts directly to your inbox, in the form of a Save.

In addition to their daily local deals, they also offer spectacular Saves from online merchants which allows their customers nationwide to get in on the fun!

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for Eversave to start receiving daily e-mails with details of the Saves happening in your neighborhood. Eversave will even give you $2 to use towards your next purchase just for creating an account!

And don’t forget to spread the word. Eversave makes it easy and rewarding to share Saves with family and friends. Whether you tell them about a deal you love via e-mail, Facebook or Twitter, when someone you’ve referred to the site makes his or her first purchase, we’ll add $10 in Save Rewards to your account.

Daily deals offering out-of-this-world savings – it’s that simple. Visit Eversave today & learn more.

Boxtops for Education

Box Tops for Education is an easy way to help earn cash for our school - CLIP & SEND IN - it's that easy!

Just look for the Box Tops logo on hundreds of products like Cheerios®, Hamburger Helper® and Kleenex®, in almost every aisle of the store. All you need to do is clip and send them to school in your child's backpack —- each one is worth 10¢ for your school. Students can also earn a small reward, so be sure to put their name on your envelope or baggie.

You can also join Box Tops online and EARN MORE for our school and get money saving coupons!

• Earn eBoxTops for your school when you shop online at over 100 participating retailers.
• Enter for chances to win thousands of Bonus Box Tops for your school each month.
• Try easy, tasty recipes using Box Tops products.

• Save with monthly coupons for your favorite brands.

HOUSTON MOMMMY 101 WEIGHT LOSS QUEST

First Thing on Weight Loss List :
I need to weigh myself and take measurements.This is always the hardest and the most important. I've already eaten a juicy, fatty Whataburger and extra large fries too many times this week. Should I wait until Monday. Mondays are always good for me. Ill make sure to post a pic, measurements, and my weight. Will you do the same.....

To be continued.........

2011 HOUSTON MOMMMY 101 WEIGHT LOSS QUEST

With the New Year fast approaching. I'm pretty sure were are all thinking . "I want to lose weight but there is no point now. "Let it be until the New Year. "Truly there is no point now." But after having looked in my closet for the millionth time. I told myself ,"Do I really need to buy new clothes, NO No NO $$$$$ !!!" So my journey begins. Having had my daughter Madison 26 months ago, I decide, having just had a baby wasn't working anymore. I have made it a quest to lose weight but with no crazy quick loss diets. Only because I've tried them all already . Natural, safe and all hard work is the only and willing way to go. Please join me in you tales ,tricks, pics, process, and weight loss quest.. Lets all lose weight together.

To be continued.........