Shari Lynne, Author at Faith Filled Food for Moms

Homemade Tostada Bowls

May 17, 2013 by Shari Lynne 1 Comment

Well I can’t take the credit for the idea of making these yummy Homemade Tostada Bowls because I saw them first from some kind of Social Media quite a while back, I can’t remember where..however after making them.. I do have a couple of tips …

Place Tortillas in between muffin bumps.. Smile You can use corn or flour..corn will be a little stiffer

Bake in low temp oven 300 for about 15-20 minutes…WATCH CAREFULLY

Remove from oven and turn off….Here’s my tip…right before serving..put Homemade Tostada Bowls back into cooling oven..this will make them nice and crispy!

That’s it…fill with anything your heart desires!!

YUM!!!

ENJOY!!

You can also make your own Tortillas

Filed Under: easy tutorials, In the Kitchen, recipes Tagged With: homemade, recipe, Tortilla Bowls, tutorial

It’s Sad That We Need Reminders…by MSpy.com

May 17, 2013 by Shari Lynne Leave a Comment

The other day I had the weirdest experience..It really creeped me out and I can’t get it out of my mind…especially in the wake of the news with those 3 beautiful girls that were held captive for over 10 years and thankfully found…

It’s Sad That We Need Reminders..but sometimes we just do

While shopping the other day with my beautiful 14 year old..some older guy kept following us around the store..I wouldn’t really have thought much about it..but he kept showing up where we were.. and kind of ducking in and out of clothing areas where you know he wouldn’t be interested in. Even ducking in so that he could find a way to walk behind us…Creepy.

It was a beautiful hot day and my daughter had shorts on..I would imagine that was the attraction..

But it gave me a good chance to one again, go over some safety guidelines with her..

Source:mspy.com

Have you reminded your kids lately about safety issues and strangers? It’s an ugly topic..but it has to be talked about.

Filed Under: Be Healthy

Chicken Parmesan Recipe for Kids with Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips

May 16, 2013 by Shari Lynne 1 Comment

I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are 100% my own #cbias #SocialFabric

Don’t you think we should celebrate Mother’s Day more than one day a year? I mean depending on the age of your kids..Mother’s Day can be as much work as any other day of the year. LOL Meals still to fix, laundry to be done…you know what I mean I’m sure…

Well guess what? Tyson thinks that Mother’s Day should last a whole month! Yay for Tyson! So they’ve designated the entire month of May – Mother’s Month and Tyson wants to make it easy for family’s to pamper Mom. So in honor of celebrating Mother’s Month, my kids (well the one that likes to cook anyway) decided to make me a yummy Chicken Parmesan recipe for kids with Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips! This is a fun and easy recipe that any kid can make to honor Mom! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Ingredients:

Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips
1 can or jar of Spaghetti Sauce (pick your fave!)
1 cup of Shredded Mozzarella cheese
any kind of noodles your kids choose

Directions:

Boil Noodles in water and drain
Add Spaghetti Sauce and stir – Save about 3/4 cup for topping Crispy Chicken Strips
Pour Spaghetti into a Baking dish coated with Cooking Spray
Lay as many Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips on top of the Spaghetti at you would like
Now pour a little of the 3/4 Spaghetti on each Crispy Chicken Strip
Top with Shredded Mozzarella Cheese – even on Chicken
Bake in oven for 25 min. at 375 degrees.
If Spaghetti is a little dry..just add a little water..

So while I’m resting…during my wonderful Mothering Moment..you can see that my kids are totally honoring me I don't know smile

I also got a little gardening done while the fam was cooking me up some dinner..YAY!

Then we had a really nice #MealTogether.

Guess what else..did you know that Tyson is having a really fun Moms Pay Day Sweepstakes..You could win $10,000 buckeroos!! Umm I’d like to win $10,000..no cooking for this Mom for MORE than a month! LOL Check out your specially marked packages and enter!!

You can check out all different types of Tyson products, recipes and even food safety on their Website: www.Tyson.com

You can also follow @TysonFoods on Twitter!

ALSO

Tomorrow, Friday 5/17 there will be a Twitter Party @ 12:00 pm EST..

if you would like to participate..

hop on over to “The Kids are Grown, Now What?” Blog and RSVP!

Twitter Parties are a blast..just like chattin it up with good friends about things you are interested in..like food!!

Filed Under: food, In the Kitchen, Reviews, sponsored Tagged With: #cbias, #MealsTogether, Tyson, Tyson Crispy Chicken Strips

Adventures in Odyssey Presents A.C.T.S.-A Call To Serve! Free Download too!

May 16, 2013 by Shari Lynne Leave a Comment

I am totally honored to partner with Tyndale House and Adventures in Odyssey to present to you a FUN family project for this Summer! Make this a Summer that you and your family will remember for a lifetime…while making young disciples for Christ!

A.C.T.S. – A Call To Serve

One of the most important things we can do for our kids is to teach them to serve and honor others. To serve their families, to serve their communities, to serve their world.

To kick off this awesome project you can download ideas for projects here and you can also listen to the first episode of the Adventures In Odyssey Service episode, available here!

How the A.C.T.S. (A Call to Service) challenge and contest works:

Kids who join A.C.T.S. can pick up a service log and collect fun character stickers for hours served at participating bookstores throughout the summer, or download a serving log online at whitsend.org. At the end of the summer, kids can record and upload a short video telling how they serve and why they’d like to become an Adventures in Odyssey Ambassador.

A hundred winners will get the brand new AIO Album, and after online voting, two grand prize winners (one boy and one girl) will get to travel on an exciting Good-Goers Mission Based Adventure trip to another country with a parent!

The out-of-country destination will be announced on a live podcast May 22—hosted by AIO actors Katie Leigh (Connie) and Chris Anthony (Chris)—which you can watch at whitsend.org/acts.

You don’t want to miss it!

So why do we need to teach them to serve?

Kids….Um and adults alike are selfish creatures for sure. Just like how we teach our kids to take pride in being a part of our family in serving and honoring one another..we need to teach them to reach outside of their homes too.

In a very real way, the best path toward building selfless, confident children is to help and encourage them toward a growing and thriving faith in God. And that includes obedience to what God teaches—not because it makes kids feel good, although it often does—but because they’re following God’s instructions to love Him and serve others. That builds a faith they can count on and carry with them into adulthood—which is the greatest gift any parent can bestow on their child.

Join Adventures in Odyssey this summer to discover how fun it can be to serve others!

Adventures in Odyssey, the beloved audio series from Focus on the Family, has encouraged kids toward a stronger faith for 25 years. Whit, Connie, Eugene, and the other loveable characters from Odyssey have shared countless adventures with kids across the world in the classic audio dramas, books, videos, and devotionals, fulfilling the AIO promise to help kids discover, imagine, and grow.

This summer, Adventures in Odyssey is joining with Christian bookstores across the country, inviting kids to participate in a Summer of Service. They’re promoting the biblical message, “When you serve, everybody wins,” encouraging kids to serve their families, their communities, and their world. Whether it’s baking cookies for an elderly neighbor or putting together a care package for missionaries overseas, kids will discover that serving can be a blast!

Even if you just do SOME of the service projects it will be totally worthwhile!

AND Stay tuned for LOTS more FUN to come!!

Linking up with: Family Fun Friday

Filed Under: Reviews, sponsored Tagged With: ACTS, Adventures in Odyssey, Pareniting, Service Project, Tyndale House

Pineapple-How to Cut One Up and Pick One Out

May 16, 2013 by Shari Lynne 1 Comment

Don’t you just LOVE the taste and smell of fresh cut Pineapple?! YUM…It’s kind of silly to admit, but I did not touch a fresh Pineapple for years…you know why? Well I just didn’t know how to cut one up to look like the Pineapple you get in cans..you know..the ones with the perfect hole in the middle..I’m not kidding..I didn’t even know how to buy one that was ripe..

One day though, when Pineapples were on sale at the store..I got brave and thought, why not try it..who cares what it looks like..

Which one do I pick? (I didn’t even know how to pick a Pineapple out!) Well it’s easy..the more Yellow and Softer when pressed on, on the outside, the riper it is..that’s it. If the leaves on top are starting to turn brown..Umm like the one in the picture..then it’s starting to get over ripe..don’t buy it unless you are going to cut it up right away. You can buy them green too..they just have to sit on your counter and ripen a few days.

So here you go…

How to cut up a Pineapple

Turn the Pineapple on it’s side..

Cut off the Top and Bottom

Now just slice down..cutting the outer Pineapple off.

Don’t worry about those little pieces left..the eyes..just go back and cut those out after the outer layer is off…

Now see that middle core…just slice all around that..straight down

Then cut up those chunks..YUM!

Now enjoy your new accomplishment and eat! YUM!

What foods have you avoided because you didn’t know “how” to prepare them?

Linking up with: Somewhat Simple, Catch a Glimpse, Hookin up with HoH, Milk and Cuddles Linkup, Hope for Every Season, Foodie Friday

Filed Under: easy tutorials, food, In the Kitchen Tagged With: Pineapple, tutorial

Drive it Home Show

May 15, 2013 by Shari Lynne Leave a Comment

Hey local readers,

I’d love you to join me at the Drive it Home Show, presented by the National Safety Council and Allstate Foundation, Tuesday, May 21, If you have tween, teen, or are concerned about teen driving safety, it will be an informative (and entertaining!) event. Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might like to attend.

Details are as follows:

What: Drive it Home Show, presented by the National Safety Council and Allstate Foundation

When: Tuesday, May 21 from 7pm – 8:15pm

Where: EMP Museum – Level 3 (325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109)

Price: FREE! No tickets required

Parking: Pay lots are available near the museum and metered parking is available on the side streets across 5th Avenue N.

BONUS: You can enter in the sweepstakes at the event for a chance to win gas cards and a brand new car!

If you’d like to attend, click here to register and when checking in, let them know that Shari Lynne and Clever Girls Collective sent you.

Hope to see you there!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Filed Under: Family, parenting/step-parenting, Reviews, sponsored Tagged With: Allstate, Clever Girls Collective, Driving, parenting, Teens

Companion Planting and How’s Your Garden Growing?

May 15, 2013 by Shari Lynne Leave a Comment

Well it’s been about a month since I planted some of my Veggie’s and I’m just dyin to know how your garden is growing! Also wanted to touch on Companion Planting because it’s so easy and so effective!

So this post is mostly pictures because what can you say…the plants are growing..except for the little pests that are eating some of them..Grrrr. I left the dates on some of the pics so you could see the progression of growth.

You could call this sort of a Wordless Wednesday…Ummm except I’ve already talked! LOL

This pic shows one of the places where I made room in my flower garden for the veggies…

Broccoli, Leeks, Lettuce, Brussels Sprouts, Sugar Snap Peas…

Of course what garden is complete without a few pests….I’m going to put sandpaper around my plants to see if that helps..it’s said that Snails don’t like to crawl over rough stuff..we’ll see. I’ve tried egg shells and a little bark..nope…

Growing….

The secret to keeping weeds down is to plant really close together…enough room to grow..but close enough together that no weeds grow..You can plant at least 1/2 of what a package says to plant apart and still have a great harvest!

I also have done Companion Planting…Wonderful way to plant! Here is a chart that shows..what plants do well when planted next to a certain other plant. AND what doesn’t grow well together…it really works!

I will be planting more warmer weather Veggies soon..when we have some consistent heat going here in the Pacific Northwest..

How is YOUR garden growing?

Filed Under: Be Healthy

100% Natural Frozen Fruit Bars Are Helping me Reach My Goal!

May 14, 2013 by Shari Lynne 1 Comment

As part of reaching my goal Collective Bias is helping me because I am a member of the Collective Bias Social Fabric Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions are 100% my own #cbias #SocialFabric

I knew I shouldn’t have done it! I kept telling myself over and over “you better not do it!” and “Your not making a wise choice Shari”

But I did it anyway…I just threw caution to the wind and went for it.. Do you ever do that? Do you just go ahead and do something that you know for sure you will pay a price later..but you do it anyway! Or maybe you tell yourself it’s not that bad…or you’ll deal with it tomorrow?

Well that’s what I did..and that’s why I’m doing something about it!

I didn’t know with my busy lifestyle that there could be a better alternative out there that I didn’t have to make myself…..100% Natural Frozen Fruit Bars….

I’m determined to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle..Really… I had a long talk with my hubs because he’s a little upset that I haven’t been taking care of myself like I should.

The truth of the matter is this..I KNOW WHAT TO DO..it’s just a matter of doing it. For me it’s quite simple..

Keep track of my intake – Exactly how much..every little thing that goes into my mouth!
Drink LOTS of water
NO sugar..well almost none
No Fat/Low Fat Foods
Eat as raw and unprocessed as possible – Including tons of Fresh Fruits and Veggies
Eat a Carb with a Protein..always
Take my vitamins
Be accountable to the Lord..and ask for His power to follow through!
EXERSICE (at least 1/2-1 hour a day) … there I said it! I’d say with blogging..this has been my biggest slacker area
Time..it takes time to take care of ourselves doesn’t it..

Here’s the thing…Sometimes it’s hard for me to do things for myself…isn’t that the typical mother thing…always taking care of everyone else and not making time for ourselves…But honestly…I think I deserve to take time for myself don’t I? I am no good to anybody if I’m not healthy and fit..right? I have a lot to live for don’t you think? So it’s time to make a move! Get it.. MOVE…it’s an action word! LOL

Seriously though…That’s my plan..I’ve done it before and I can do it again…Pep talk 101 to myself…

I don’t want to totally deprive myself though or this weight loss thing can get too intense…I still like to indulge a little..don’t you?

So check out this amazing treat!! Remember in my little video how I said I was going to get Chunks O Fruti? Well these yummy bars have no additives OR artificial flavors OR artificial colors they are 100% Natural Frozen Fruit Bars and they are deelish!! For those of you that are into no GMO’s also…they are NON-GMO verified!! YAY!

You know what else…these bars slide right off of the stick and you can make smoothies with them!! We LOVE smoothies and with Summer just around the corner..this will be a refreshing and healthy treat. No guilt here!

They come in this huge box with 4 little boxes inside with 4 different flavors..Love.. That way I can keep the BIG box in my freezer in the garage and take out one little box for in the house! Love!

HEY there are already some bars missing already!! Here is one of the culprits.. Oh well… don’t tell them..but I bought 2 boxes..SHHH!

Our families favorite is the Strawberry Fruit Bars…Oh they are sooo refreshing and taste just like fresh Strawberries…but you can visit there site and see that there are LOTS of flavors to choose from!

It’s time to say..

Goodbye Candy Bars…I’m not going to shed a tear for doing something good for myself…

Hello Chunks O Fruti…..these are so healthy that I let my kids have one for breakfast this morning and I would definitely serve these to my Grandkids! Great healthy snack!

So…I’ll let you know my progress… Winking smile Pssst…you can also follow my little shopping trip here in my Google + Album

Feel free to follow Chunks O Fruti on Twitter and Facebook

Do you like Frozen Fruit Bars? What kinds of flavors do you like?

Filed Under: Reviews, sponsored Tagged With: #cbias, #FreshNFruti, #Natural Fruit Bars

$200 Toys R Us Gift Card Giveaway-Come Celebrate With Us!

May 13, 2013 by Shari Lynne Leave a Comment

What a privilege it is to partner with Giveaway Promote and Author Carole P. Roman to offer you this awesome giveaway! I LOVE books! I especially love anything that has teaching value while having fun..Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas, Book 4 of the Captain No Beard Series (Volume 4) and If you were me and lived in… France…: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World are just those kinds of books! So we are having a celebration!

Affiliate links in this post, please see full disclosure

Welcome to the $200 Toys R Us Gift Card Giveaway!

Hosted by Giveaway Promote.

Sponsored by author Carole P. Roman.

Carole P. Roman recently released volume four in her award winning series, Captain No Beard!

She’s celebrating the new releases by giving away a $200 Toys R Us Gift Card or $200 USD via PayPal and a copy of each book!

Captain No Beard and the crew of the Flying Dragon welcome a new crew member, when Cabin Girl Cayla joins the ship. Responsible for his little sister, Captain No Beard is not very happy because he finds his newest charge a distraction. When faced with danger, the captain must find a way to escape.

While learning valuable lessons about strangers, the crew realized not to judge somebody because they are young or small. Strength comes in all sizes! Be sure to read Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas, Book 4 of the Captain No Beard Series (Volume 4). It is available on Amazon!

If you were me and lived in… France…: A Child’s Introduction to Cultures Around the World is the second book in Carole P. Roman’s remarkable series about countries all over the globe.

With each book covering a different nation, Roman opens up a world of wonder while highlighting the fact that underneath it all we are far more alike than we might have imagined. Focusing on what life would be like from a child’s viewpoint, she examines the diversity of the people who make up our planet. It is also available on Amazon!

About Carole P. Roman:

Award winning author Carole P. Roman is happy to add "Strangers on the High Seas- A Captain No Beard Story vol 4" to her successful series. The first book of the series, "Captain No Beard-An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life" was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012, as well as received the Star of Remarkable Merit. It was also named as one of the Best Indie Books of 2013 with the Pinnacle Award.

Roman has two other series, "If You Were Me and Lived in…", a children’s non fiction book on cultures around the world and an introduction to yoga for kids. She lives on Long Island with her husband and very close to her children and grandchildren.

Enter to win a $200 Toys R Us Gift Card and a copy of Captain No Beard: Strangers on the High Seas and If you were me and lived in France

Complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway.

Refer your friends using your unique link at the top of the Rafflecopter for even more chances to win.

One winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries.

Open Worldwide.

Ends at 11:59pm EST on May 26th, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloggers, we’d love for you to join an awesome group giveaway event like this one! Sign up to be emailed about future events hosted by Giveaway Promote.

Filed Under: Be Healthy

The Harlem Globetrotters Summer Skills Clinics in the Seattle Area!

May 10, 2013 by Shari Lynne Leave a Comment

Ok, ok…just one more Basketball thingy…because I just couldn’t resist letting all my local readers know about this fun and amazing clinic coming to the Seattle area!! Oh how I wish my kids could go to this! But they are too old..boo hoo!

logo

This is a great deal to inspire the fun and love of basketball in your kids!

Now everything awesome – kids, basketball, teamwork, and having fun – comes together at destination awesome:

Harlem Globetrotter Summer Skills Clinics,

the ONLY clinics coached by stars of The Harlem Globetrotters!

Everyone loves The Globetrotters, the stars who always put smiles on kids’ faces. At Globetrotter Summer Skills Clinics, our stars coach kids in limited size groups and bring laughs, encouragement and high fives for everyone! Globetrotters direct, motivate, inspire AND entertain, keeping it inclusive and fun for ALL boys and girls, aged 6-12, of ALL skill and experience levels.

Each session is $59 and includes a free ticket voucher to see the Globetrotters live in 2014!

But you can save $10 with promo code USFAMILY! Code is valid through 5/31.

Each child will receive:

A free ticket voucher (valued up to $40) to see the Globetrotters during their 2014 World Tour
Autographs and photos with the stars!
Official Globetrotter certificate of completion with a personalized Globetrotter nickname

You can find the Clinic Locations here

(These are just the clinics – the games for your tickets are in 200 cities)

Save $10 on registration! Enter the Coupon Code USFAMILY on the cart page after completing your registration