Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders {a Hillshire Naturals Review}

With cheerleading season in full swing and baseball season beginning, I'm often at a loss of what to feed the kids; I need something quick and easy, but still quasi healthy. Of course, I can think of lots of things to feed them, but feeding them something they won't grumble at is a whole 'nother story! I love the simplicity of this Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders recipe. I assembled the sandwiches in only a few minutes, baked them for 10 minutes and we devoured them in less than the time it took to make them! My boys were asking for more...but, they were all gone.

First, gather the ingredients for your sliders. 

You'll need:

1 pkg. Hillshire Farms Naturals Honey Roasted Ham
1 pkg. King's Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
6 slices of deli Baby Swiss cheese
2 Tbls. of Mayonnaise {not pictured}

You'll also need these few ingredients for the topping:

1/2 Tbls. onion powder
1/2 Tbls. poppy seeds
1/4 tsp. worcestershire sauce
3/4 Tbls. dijon mustard
1/4 cup melted butter

To assemble sliders, begin by cutting your rolls in half. You could cut each one individually, or leave them as a loaf, like I did. Then, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the inside of your bread.

Next comes a layer of Hillshire Farms Naturals Ham. You can put a single layer or double it up...we like a lot of meat, so we doubled it up!

Last step of your slider prep, add a layer of Baby Swiss cheese. I say Baby Swiss because it's less pungent than other Swiss Cheese. You're gonna want the ham to shine through in this little slider! 

It's looking good, huh?! You could stop here and just dig in...but, wait! This last step puts these over the top!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While waiting for oven to heat, mix all of the ingredients for the topping and brush or pour over the top of your sliders. Cover with foil and let sit for 10 minutes. After they've sat, put them in the oven for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. remove from oven and ENJOY!

Now, watch your family devour the ooey-gooey, goodness that is this Hot Ham and Cheese Slider!

Disclosure: I'm required to disclose a relationship between my site and Hillshire. This could include Hillshire providing me w/content, product, access or other forms of payment. This recipe was adapted from KingsHawaiian.com

Disney On Ice Worlds of Enchantment - Coming to Jacksonville, FL

This post sponsored by Liz Morgan PR and Feld Entertainment.

TICKETS FOR DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS WORLDS OF ENCHANTMENT ON SALE FEBRUARY 7 IN JACKSONVILLE 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., (January 24, 2017) Rev up for non-stop fun with four of your favorite Disney stories when Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment comes to Jacksonville!  This one-of-a-kind production visits Jacksonville from April 13 to April 16 for six performances at Veterans Memorial Arena. Tickets go on sale February 7, 2017 and are available at www.disneyonice.com.

 

Get ready to enter a dazzling world of Disney magic, live on ice where Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney Pixar’s Cars perform high-speed stunts and race across the ice like you’ve never seen before!  Be amazed and join Ariel as she dives into the underwater kingdom of Disney’s The Little Mermaid.  Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and other favorites from the Toy Story gang as they try and escape from Sunnyside Daycare in one of their most daring adventure ever from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 – proving that the toys are back in town! Plus, enter the wintery world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa from the BAFTA and Academy Award® winning and number one animated feature film of all time, Disney’s Frozen. Join Anna as she embarks on an epic journey with the hilarious snowman Olaf and rugged mountain-man Kristoff to find her sister, the magical Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.  

 

From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, see some of your family’s favorite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment.

 

Tickets for Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment start at $15.  Ticket prices may fluctuate based off market demand, Lock in your seats early!

 

Tickets are available at the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships Box Office located at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, charge by phone at (800) 745-3000 or online at  www.ticketmaster.com. For Feld Direct Group Sales information please call 866-248-8740. For SMG GROUP information please call 904-630-3969

To learn more about Disney On Ice, produced by Feld Entertainment, visit www.disneyonice.com, or visit us on Facebook and YouTube.
                                                                        

About Feld Entertainment 

Feld Entertainment is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that lift the human spirit and create indelible memories, with 30 million people in attendance at its shows each year.  Feld Entertainment's productions have appeared in more than 70 countries on six continents and include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey^®, Feld Motor Sports, Disney On Ice and Disney Live.

WIN a Family 4-Pack of Tickets!

Leave a comment below telling me your most favorite Disney memory. Never been to Disney? Tell me who you would take to The Happiest Place on Earth. 

I'll draw a winner April 14, 9:00am EST.

Buy your tickets, by clicking HERE today! Save $5.00 on tickets using promo code LZPR17.

Discount code not valid on opening night (all general tickets are priced at $15 flat plus fees.), not valid on Sat 3:30pm show, not valid on premium seating, no double discounts.

Enjoy Every Holiday Moment #LivePadFree

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Walmart and Poise Impressa. All opinions are my own. 

It's the most wonderful time of year.

It's the time of year to climb up into the attic and pull down all of the Christmas decorations. It's the time of year to climb up and down the ladder, to adorn your home with Christmas lights. Lots and lots of Christmas lights. It's the time of year to drink hot cocoa with your family.

It's the time of year to get all gussied up, to go to a different Christmas party every Saturday evening of the entire month of December. It's the time of year to laugh endless laughs with friends, old and new.

Know what could put a damper on said Christmas activities, that happen during the most wonderful time of year?? Bladder leaks. Yep, I said it. Bladder leaks.

Let's talk, ladies.

As a mom of five, there are a few things that this old body just can't always, 100% control. I mean, a good jump on the trampoline and...let's just say I gave up on my jumping days long ago. Oh my gosh, when I get together with a bunch of girlfriends, and we laugh until we cry? Yeah, you know. #tinkle So, needless to say, I'm pretty excited to be teaming up with Walmart and Poise Impressa®. No more bladder leaks, y'all!

Now, with Poise Impressa® I can climb up into the attic, go up and down the ladder, and enjoy cup after cup of hot cocoa. I can get all gussied up to attend numerous Christmas parties and laugh lots of laughs with my girlfriends. But, I won't be laughing "until I pee my pants!!"

Somebody find me a trampoline. This momma has a new confidence to JUMP!

I can even enjoy a day date with my hunky hubby, to do a little Christmas shopping. 

You can find Poise Impressa® at Walmart. Unsure of where to start? Buy the Impressa Sizing Kit FIRST. 

Watch this video, and see how women, just like you and me, are enjoying the Holidays leak-free. 

Shine Bright, Little One [with Gerber Lil' Beanies]

This post is written on behalf Nestle through my association with The Women Bloggers, Kendal King Group and #SoapBoxInfluence. As always, the content created is my own and, as always, all thoughts and opinion about the product are my own too!

As a mom of five, I'm constantly on the hunt for easy, yet healthy, snacks for my little ones. Sure, it's easy enough to grab a snack size bag of chips or a handful of graham crackers, but I want them to eat a snack that has NUTRITIONAL VALUE, as well as being tasty.

When my kids were little I fed them countless jars of Gerber baby food. So, when I heard of these NEW Gerber Lil' Beanies Baked Snacks Made With Beans I knew I would be a fan. But, it wasn't me that needed to like them, it was them, the kids. And like them, they do!

Lil' Beanies are available at Walmart [for about $1.86 per canister] in two flavors: White Cheddar & Broccoli and Original (Sea Salt). They are made with navy beans and rice flour, so they pack 2 grams of protein and 1 gram of fiber per serving. With NO GMOs, NO preservatives, and NO artificial colors or flavors, you can rest assured that you're feeding your little one a snack that is HEALTHY for their growing bodies.

[the canisters are GREAT for building play, once empty. Mabry enjoyed stacking them up, and then knocking them over...time and time again!]

Gerber Lil' Beanies are the PERFECT snack to munch on while crafting, too. Most toddler snacks on the market are small. These puffy shaped snacks are larger - making them easier for small fingers to grab. Yes, they resemble the cheese puffs we're all used to, but Lil' Beanies are LESS MESSY!! Goodness knows, if you're crafting with a toddler, you don't need a messy snack as a sidekick to a messy craft. One mess is enough!

[Mabry and I sat down to make Paper Plate Suns. With less mess on her fingers from snacks, it left room for paint mess!]

*To make a paper plate sun, simply paint a white piece of cardstock with different shades of yellow, orange and red. We used acrylic paint, found at Walmart. Let dry. 

*Then, cut triangles from your painted creation. [You should be able to cut enough triangles, to surround your small plate, with one piece of cardstock.] 

*Finally, flip your plate over, so that the top is facing down, and tape your triangles around the edge, as shown. Mabry and I used small, yellow plates, found in Walmart's party supply section. 

*If you'd like, you can add a face to your plate, too!

Have you tried Gerber Lil' Beanies? Tasty, huh? What is your favorite flavor? I'd love to hear which flavor your kids love most. Tell me in the comments below!

A Sweet Pairing for Valentine's Day with Josh Cellars Wine and Ghirardelli Chocolate {#asweetpairing}

A special thank you to Ghirardelli & Josh Cellar wine for sponsoring this post.  All opinions are my own.

As a mom of five, I rarely get an free evening to spend with girlfriends. My nights are filled with cheer practice, football practice, dinner prep, and bedtime routines. You can imagine my excitement when my husband told me to have a Valentine's Day themed Girls Night In that featured chocolate, wine, crafts, and girlfriends. 

My first stop for party supplies is always Walmart. This trip I found numerous varieties of Ghirardelli  chocolates, both for dessert making, gifting/party treat gifting and just plain 'ol eating. I also found Josh Cellar Wines that would be great for sipping as we craft. 

Strawberries dipped in Ghirardelli Chocolate Melting Wafers and then sprinkled with heart shaped sprinkles only sound childish, they are divine from the first to last bite!

Fresh grapes and strawberries, and Ghirardelli chocolate drizzled cream puffs made for the perfect snacks while sipping wine. 

Well, I didn't get a completely kid-free evening, McKinley stayed home with me. She was excited for a night with "just the girls," too. She was a big help in teaching my guests how to make the no-sew pillow covers.

This was everyone's finished pillow cover. I'll be sharing how we made them in an upcoming post. Stay tuned.

We had such a great night...just the girls. I'll be sure to not let too much time go by before I have another girls night!

Please remember, have fun with your girlfriends, but drink responsibly. 

New Amazon Original Kids' Series WISHENPOOF

This is a sponsored post, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

 From the Creator of preschool favorites like Blue's Clues and Super Why!, Angela Santomero brings us a NEW Amazon Original animated series, Wishenpoof, with a little girl named Bianca and her friend, Bob the Bear. On Wishenpoof, Bianca solves life's problems in her own creative ways. Even though she has "wishing magic", she learns that with a little belief in your self, magic isn't always needed. {Wishenpoof is available starting today, August 14th, for Amazon Prime members.}

 

McKinley and I had the privilege of previewing the first season together. She was instantly drawn to Bianca's ability to "wish" herself to a new adventure destination. But, as one episode continued, I loved that Bianca's mother encouraged her to not use her magic for everything. Instead, she was told that she could believe in herself {and show others that she believed in them} to get through a tough situation.


Since we don't have wishing magic, it's important for me to teach my kids that they can do anything they put their minds to if they believe in themselves. And well, if they fail, that's ok too. I really enjoyed watching Wishenpoof with McKinley and learning from her which she thought was the right choice in Bianca's decisions. Should she have used magic to help Penelope? Was it nice that she bought a ice pop for her brother, rather than use her magic? These questions helped McKinley and I have a back and forth conversation about believing in yourself and in others.

Are you an Amazon Prime member? If so, great, you can watch Wishenpoof today! If not, sign up for a free trial here.

Snowy Holiday Fun in Kissimmee, FL at the Gaylord Palms

I was provided accommodations, theme park admission and tickets to local attractions in exchange for my feedback. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, Experience Kissimmee!

One of the amazing perks to living in Florida is all of the fun attractions and events that surround us. Within just a couple of hours, we can be right in the middle of Gainseville, Daytona or Tallahassee. A favorite of my family's, though, is Kissimmee, Florida. There's so much to do and see in Kissimmee...especially during the Holidays!

Recently, Jonah and I had the privilege of experiencing Kissimmee and quite a few of it's popular Holiday attractions. Over the next few days I'm going to share our Snowy Holiday travels with you. If you're looking for some incredible attractions and events to go to and make memories with your family, you'll want to be checking back often! I'll be sharing stories from Disney, Sea World and also from places you may have never heard of like, U Can Cook and Fun Spot...and boy, do I have stories to tell! Jonah and I had more fun in four days in Kissimmee, FL than we've had together in years!

The first stop on our Snowy Holiday Adventure was Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. We were there to enjoy dinner at Sunset Sam's, watch a preview of The Nutcracker by the Orlando Ballet, see a performance by Luminescence, feel the wind in our hair as we rode Snow Tubes at Alpine Rush and set our eyes on breath-taking displays of ice sculptures at ICE! featuring The Nutcracker. You could say we were in for a very eventful evening of {very COLD} fun!

photo credit

photo credit

Gaylord Palms features three historic locations in Florida within their beautiful indoor atriums: St. Augustine, Key West and the Everglades. You can also see South Beach featured at the Quiet Adult Pool. In the photo above you see St. Augustine's Castillo De San Marcos.

photo credit

Our dinner reservations were at Sunset Sam's Fish Camp, located in "Key West" at Gaylord Palms. We boarded our vessel and dined under the twinkling lights. The atmosphere is romantic enough for date night and family friendly, too. Your kids will love that they get to eat dinner on a sailboat!

I enjoyed a Grilled Rib Eye Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, Fingerling Potatoes and a Grilled Tomato. It was divine. The steak was so tender and the chimichurri sauce was an excellent compliment to it. 

Next, we made our way to see the Christmas Tree Lighting and watch a preview of The Nutcracker performed by the Orlando Ballet. The dancers were are so graceful and beautiful. It made me want to find the nearest location to see the full performance.

After the ballet, we were dazzled by the breathtaking musical performance of Luminescence. When I say "breathtaking", I mean BREATHTAKING. There were numerous times throughout this show that I found myself either near tears or in complete awe of their talent. This band and group of entertainers will have you in the Christmas Spirit in no time!

{pictured is +TampaMamaAdventures and FrugalandFunMom's kids with Jonah}

The night just kept getting better; there is so much to do at Gaylord Palms during the Holidays! After the tree lighting, ballet and musical performance, we went to Alpine Rush to Snow Tube down one of EIGHT lanes of snow. This time my breath was taken by the sheer fun I was having! I felt like I was a kid again racing down the slopes in my snow tube. After tubing, we enjoyed a Hot Chocolate Bar, Rice Krispy Treats and Italian Ice. 

Finally, we went to discover what 3 million pounds of ice looks like. ICE! at Gaylord Palms is an exquisite display of The Nutcracker depicted in the form of sculpted ice. It's truly amazing. 

Before you step foot inside the 15,000 square foot, 9 degree "cold room", be sure to grab one of 1,500 parkas that is provided so you don't freeze your buns. Did you know it took Harbin Ice Carvers 11,160 hours of total carving time to create this Winter Wonderland.  

Photos truly don't do this attraction justice. I'm not sure what I expected to see when I first walked in...but, I was blown away by how beautiful and cold and colorful and cold it all was. {Yes, I said cold twice. It was cold, y'all!}

If you're looking for a fun Holiday event for your family then you'll want to be sure to check out Christmas at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL! On top of everything that I've mentioned above, you can also see Santa Claus or have Breakfast with Shrek and his Friends!

Win a Snowy Holiday of your own from Experience Kissimmee by either texting "snow" to 82257 or going to SnowyHoliday.com. The prize is a 3-day, 2-night stay at a Kissimmee destination resort, theme park admission and tickets to local attractions for the winner and three guests.

Want to follow along on all of the Snowy Holiday Adventures with Experience Kissimmee? Check out Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!