I think everyone likes the excuse that the Super Bowl gives them to have a party with people they enjoy while consuming yummy food and drinks. I always am looking for an excuse… Groundhog Day? Let’s EAT!!!! Easter? PARTY!!!!! Random Thursday? FOOD AND DRANKS FOR ALLL!!! Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a tad, but I know I’m not alone. (Who else am I going to party with?)

The only problem is that the Super Bowl falls in the beginning of February. Which is, right smack in the middle of your New Year, New You plan. You’ve been going strong until now, right? Well, don’t let the Super Bowl set you back. I have a few suggestions on dessert alternatives for your party over on Pure Matters. So head on over there and check out my healthy treats!

Healthier Desserts for Super Bowl Sunday

Hail to the Redskins!

 

Speaking of New Year, New You… how are you doing?

Since my food journaling adventure I dropped off for a week or so. Well, I decided to pick back up the journaling AND I’ve been counting calories with My Fitness Pal. It seems to be the only thing that is working for me! I’m down 1.4lbs. Yay!

I’ve made this recipe twice now and everyone loves it! It’s a fantastic appetizer, particularly if you are an avocado fan, and if you aren’t than I feel sorry for you.

Avocado Chimchurri Bruschetta

• 2 Tbs. lemon juice
• 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, minced
• 1//4 cup chopped fresh parsley, minced
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and cubed
• 1 baguette, sliced and toasted (I’ve used both white and whole wheat baguette)

Combine the garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, oregano, and black and red pepper in small bowl.

Whisk in the oil until thoroughly combined, then stir in the herbs.

Gently toss the avocado cubes into the sauce.

Spoon the avocado and sauce mixture onto toast slices.

She is offering all you fabulous readers a 15% discount this month! YAY!

So hurry over to her wonderful Etsy shop and be sure to enter the code FRIENDSANDFAMILY when you checkout. I highly suggest liking her facebook page to stay on top of all her fabulous new designs!

I’ll be back later with a yummy recipe for you!

Anyway, I participated in a blogging gift exchange and was paired up with Robyn of She Makes Hats. We emailed back and forth just chatting and getting to know each other. It was really fun! I crossed my fingers and wished for a new hat made by Robyn. She’s so talented! Well, my wish came true and she sent me a hat… and hats for Ben and Molly! ZOMG!

I immediately ripped open the package and put hats on everyone. Then we had a big gigglefest looking at ourselves in the mirror! Molly was just too cute with her little hat and chin strap!

After Ben came inside from walking the dog he was raving about how warm his new hat was. He even commented that he liked the fact that it covered his ears. Nice and toasty!

I LOVE MY NEW HAT!!!!!!!!

Thank you Robyn! And a big thanks to all the girls that organized the party. It was so much fun!

I have known Jessica for many many years. She actually taught me how to apply makeup! However, since our days of basketball and boy-chasing, Jessica has quickly made a name for herself in the Virginia photography circle. During the week you can find Jess chasing after her 3 adorable sons (in between editing photos of course!) and on the weekends she is always off on location, doing what she loves, taking photos. She launched her business less than a year ago and is always booked! Jessica took our family photos (see my About Me page) and I absolutely adore every.single.photo. We also had a blast exploring Carter Mountain Orchard and finding all sorts of fun places to take pictures. It was such a great experience! If you live in Virginia and are searching for a wonderful photographer look no further! Jessica specializes in children and family photography, but just recently added weddings to her resume!

Website | Facebook

EMMA – The Friendly Marketplace

Moms love Emma. Why? Because by integrating with Facebook, Emma makes it easier for moms to find what they need and know more about who they’re dealing with before they have to deal with them.

Moms, meet Emma – the friendly marketplace for goods, services and get-togethers.

With Emma, the friendly marketplace, savvy mothers can easily create a private market- or meeting-place for playgroups, kids sports gatherings, fundraisers and more. Truly, it has never been easier to list and to search for nannies, instructors or to simply find kids services online. And, by leveraging the power of the social Facebook network, they can quickly spread the word about their listing.

Is it fair to sponsor your own blog? Well, for now I think it’s okay. This is my baking business and I make yummy things. I also SHIP! So check out my Noms and let me know what you think. I’m also thinking about opening an Etsy shop to sell my Noms… thoughts??

Website | Facebook

Dawn is HILARIOUS. You will seriously laugh out loud at all her posts.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Nicole always keeps it real. I love that about a blogger.

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy

MORE AWESOMENESS

The Dryer Ate My Knickers – Total randomness but snort-milk-out-ya-nose funny. Plus, it’s my sister’s blog, so ya know she’s cool.

Our Haven Hill - Could this family be any cuter? Love.

Little Miss Nerd Girl - Reading Lacey’s blog is a joy in my daily life. I don’t know how she does it all!

If you would like to sponsor SuperNoVa Mom I would love you forever and be your bestie! But seriously, check out my sponsor page for more info. And if you have any questions feel free to contact me!

]]> http://www.supernovamom.com/2012/01/30/sponsor-spotlight/feed/ 0 http://www.supernovamom.com/2012/01/27/cakes/ http://www.supernovamom.com/2012/01/27/cakes/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:50:39 +0000 Nikki http://www.supernovamom.com/?p=748 No words today… just yummy, beautiful cakes.  :)

Yes, I made these.

• made a batch of buttercream
• iced two cakes
• taken two separate trips to the airport – one to drop off Ben (I miss him already!) and one to drop off my mom and stepdad.
• let the dog out twice
• fed the “baby” (toddler?) more times than I can count
• went to the cake shop to stock up on supplies
• watched Sesame Street
• played with blocks
• read books
• scarfed down a salad
• skipped the gym, yet again, because Molly is still getting over her cold (i’m dying to get back in the gym!!!)
• caught up on Google Reader and Facebook
• chatted with two friends via telephone. (I NEVER talk on the phone)
• done a load of laundry
• pitched some writing ideas to my new endeavor (soon to be announced!!)
• fed the dog
• put the baby to bed
• cooked my own meal (currently in the oven – salmon in a tin foil pouch seasoned with salt, dill, garlic powder and topped with sliced lemon and a teaspoon of butter… which I’ll eat with a side of veggies that I also fed Molly earlier. YUM!)
• had a glass of wine

Phew. I’m tired. And I still have to eat my dinner, walk the dog, finish decorating both cakes (Elmo and a monkey), make cookies and prep the crock pot dinner for tomorrow night. Well, I don’t have to do those last two things, but I really want to!

Here’s a sneak peek of the cakes I’m currently working on!

Molly slept until 8:30am which NEVER happens. I seriously felt like a new woman when I woke up. She is still coughing a bit and has a runny nose, but is feeling so much better. I think she just needed extra sleep.

About an hour or so after we woke up I was on Facebook and a friend of mine mentioned that the Bloom just down the street was closing and the ENTIRE store was 50% off. Well, I hauled my ass up there so fast and piled up my cart with diapers, coffee, baking ingredients and shampoo! I got $440 worth of groceries for $220. I don’t think I have ever been that excited about groceries. Woo!

Now, this recipe is an oldie. I can’t even remember where I found it but it has evolved over the past few years and I don’t even measure the ingredients anymore, but don’t worry, I have measurements for you. This dish is one of the first meals Ben and I made together when we started dating. Awwww.

Tortellini with Corn, Arugula and Tomatoes

• 2 packages of the tortellini of your choice
• 1.5 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup cooked corn kernels (I use frozen)
• 1 pound tomatoes, peeled, stemmed and chopped (I use one tomato b/c Ben isn’t a big fan)
• 1/4 cup scallion, thinly sliced (I use onion powder to taste)
• Handful arugula
• salt and pepper to taste
• garlic powder to taste
• Grated Parmesan
• optional – cooked ground turkey for a meat lover

Directions

1. Cook tortellini according to the directions on the packaging.

2. Meanwhile, pour the vinegar into a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the oil. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. Add the corn, tomatoes, scallion and arugula. Toss until coated.

3. When tortellini is done cooking, drain the pasta and then toss with the arugula mixture. The arugula should begin to wilt. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle on a little parmesan.

Yum! It’s seriously so good. I like to add red pepper flakes to mine, but I’m totally addicted to red pepper flakes.

Enjoy!

By the way… I’m so so so so mad about Picnik shutting down. I can’t even talk about it.

My downfall is the weekend. I go a little crazy with the food and I don’t work out. I am still working on that balance, but I can’t be perfect every weekend. Remember when things were so easy before your kids came along and you had all the time in the world to focus on your health and fitness? :::sigh:::  ;)

Do you write down what you eat?

What is croup you may ask?

Croup is breathing difficulty accompanied by a “barking” cough. Croup, which is swelling around the vocal cords, is common in infants and children and can have a variety of causes.

This is the first time she has been sick in her short little 14 month life and it’s heartbreaking. Although, she is still really smiley and happy, so it’s not too bad. The doctor told us we pretty much have to wait it out. So we’re using the humidifier and taking steamy baths… just trying to clear out the yuckiness. Plus, keeping an eye on it.

What do you do to help your little ones get through their sicknesses?

I think today will be spent reading and cuddling. Molly is a great reader!