SOCIAL MEDIA

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Is Your Closet Stocked with Shoes From Guilty Soles?

If you ask any woman what her vice is, you might get many different answers.  Some love jewelry, purses, clothes, chocolate, or even candles.  My vice is shoes.  I can't get enough of them.  I own more pairs than I should, but that doesn't stop me from buying.  Whether the shoe is a wedge, flat, pump, or boot, I love them all equally.  Nothing comes between me and my love of shoes.  I believe everyone should treat themselves to a new pair from time to time.




Guilty Soles offers women's shoes that are not only fabulous but budget friendly too.  Your footsies will love to walk around town in a beautiful pair of shoes that won't break the bank. Guilty Soles offers heels, flats, wedges, and booties that you'll absolutely love.  Every woman would be delighted to see Guilty Soles shoes in her closet.  Anything from the brand can go from work to play with ease.  You'll instantly find a pair that will become you new favorite.  Go ahead and make your closet happy today. Don't forget to give Guilty Soles all the credit!

I've owned the same pair of heels for some time now.  They are the standard black or red that I pair with any of my evening attire.  There comes a time when a lady knows she needs to up her shoe wardrobe, and that time has come.  Plus, who doesn't love the gorgeous polka-dotted tissue paper that comes in Guilty Sole's packaging?

Scarlett wants to know if any Guilty Soles shoes come in her size. 

When I saw the Tegan in Black, it was love at first sight.  These ankle-strapped black beauties were just what I was looking for.  The shoes fit perfectly and look great on, while the stiletto offers a 4.5" heel with vegan suede and a pointed toe.  My husband and I have date nights a lot, and these would be great to wear out to dinner and the movies.  I'm already planning when I'm going to wear them next!


Since the shoes are a gorgeous deep black, they can go with practically anything you pair them with.  A red dress and silver jewelry would look great together, as well as a cute dressy black top with skinny jeans and gold or silver jewelry.  Since black is such a versatile color, the fashion possibilities are broad.

As everyone realizes, cooler weather is on the horizon in the not so distant future.  It's time to start thinking about boot season! Of course this is one of my most favorite times of year, so I'm looking forward to the change in temperature.  A comfortable pair of good quality boots is a must-have for the fall season in my opinion.  How can you go wrong with the Keira Moto Boots?



These fantastic grey boots are ideal for going practically anywhere.  Pair them with a cute oversized sweater and skinny jeans for a coffee date with a friend or even a trip to the grocery store.  Since I'm with my daughter Scarlett a lot, they're great for wearing them when I bring her to play groups or trips to the museum.  The boots are extremely comfortable and I love the pretty deep grey color.  I can tell that I'll be wearing them a lot this fall and winter!

If you're looking for a new pair of shoes to update your wardrobe with, Guilty Soles would be a perfect place to start.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Guilty Soles for providing me with complimentary product to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own.

Monday, August 29, 2016

Tips for Creating the Perfect Brownie Sundae

As the summer slowly starts coming to a close, I wanted to share a great ice cream recipe that I've been making a lot for guests this summer.  It's been brutally hot here in New England lately and I can't think of a better way to beat the heat than with a fabulous brownie sundae!

To start with, you'll need a fabulous parfait glass to make your sundae in. I actually have a set of old parfait glasses that were purchased from an estate sale of someone who used to work at a soda shop in the 1950's.  I love that they're authentic and would have been done excellently for being used for ice cream sundaes at that time.


The key to a fabulous brownie sundae is layering.  In my opinion, you can't just have a ton of ice cream and then a brownie on top, it doesn't work like that.  You need to taste brownie in each and every bite to make it successful.


I like to put a couple brownie crumbs on the bottom of the glass before I put the first scoop of vanilla in.  I don't like to use any other ice cream flavor but vanilla.  I feel that it's best to keep it simple when making the sundaes, and vanilla is as simple and classic as it comes. Next, I put a thin layer of hot fudge and some brownie pieces inside the glass.  Another small scoop of vanilla comes next along with more brownie.  Go ahead and add more hot fudge too because who doesn't love it? Top it off with more vanilla ice cream, more brownie, and lots of colored sprinkles too! You can add whipped cream and a cherry if you'd like to complete the dessert.

You'll be left with the most decadent and delicious dessert ever.  Most people don't think to serve brownie sundaes at gatherings, but they really should.  Who can resist the creamy goodness of the cold ice cream paired with the heated fudge and chewy brownies? I know I can't.  

Why not make yourself a brownie sundae today? You'll love it!


Thursday, August 25, 2016

Keep Your Bathroom Happy With Charmin Toilet Paper #CharminEssentials #IC #ad

“This post was sponsored by Charmin as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.”

For as far back as I can remember, I grew up with Charmin toilet paper in my house as a child.  My mom always said it was her favorite brand, and it was always what I was used to using.  Now as an adult, you can guarantee my own family's toilet paper holder always contains a roll of that same white paper that everyone loves.

Charmin has recently released Charmin Essentials Soft and Strong, which are two products that help to provide shoppers with what they want out of toilet paper.  With a price that is affordable for every family's budget, how could you go wrong? Charmin Essentials Soft provides Charmin like softness that everyone loves, while Charmin Essentials Strong provides a big roll guaranteed to last.  The brand encourages you to swap out your current toilet paper with Charmin Essentials and share your experience.  To participate in this opportunity, you can tweet your TP swap out request to @Charmin using the #CharminEssentials and #Promotion to receive your free Charmin roll! Terms and conditions can be read here.


Since I'm the main shopper in my family, it's up to me to make sure we have the best toilet paper possible.  I have three bathrooms in my house and you can imagine that it becomes expensive to keep each one stocked! There are a lot of toilet paper brands out there that are extremely cheap, but the quality of the product is terrible and rough.  I definitely don't want my family to use those.  Charmin Essentials Soft is a brand that that I trust and rely on for my family's use.  I buy a big bulk package of the toilet paper so it's guaranteed to last in all of my bathrooms for a while.  It does a wonderful job of cleaning while the softness can't be beat.  The price tag is very reasonable and offers a great value.  It's also gentle on your nose when you have a cold too.


You can guarantee that Charmin is the only brand of toilet paper that's ever been in my cart when I go to the grocery store.  Just the other day, a woman was watching me grab the package off the shelf and told me that I was making a great choice and it was also her family's favorite brand.  It felt nice to be complimented on choosing a great product for my family! My daughter Scarlett even loves the bear on the packaging and will point to it when she sees it.  She just may be Charmin's youngest fan!



If you're looking for a toilet paper brand that will leave you feeling clean and fresh, it's time to make the switch to Charmin Essentials.

Your Kitchen Needs A Set Of Inclusive's Double Wall Colored Glassware Today

If you entertain frequently, it's essential that you have a quality glassware set to serve your guests their favorite hot or cold beverages in.  You want something that is not only attractive, but will hold up over time too.  A dishwasher set safe is also a plus.  If this all sounds like something you've been searching for, I have just the answer for you.

Your kitchen cabinets will be delighted when they meet Inclusive's Double Wall Colored Glassware set.  This set offers four double wall 14 ounce insulated glass tumblers that keep cold beverages cold and hot ones hot.  They come in a beautiful green, grey or blue option depending on what color you like best.  You'll never feel the temperature of the beverage through the glass, so it's ideal for handling hot coffee and not burning your hands from touching it.  



The perfect thing about this glassware set is that it can be used for practically everything.  Serve your guests coffee in the morning when they come over for breakfast, or iced tea would also do perfectly for an afternoon BBQ too.  Your company will admire the glasses and definitely ask where you bought them.  


Since these glasses are so practical, they would be ideal for upgrading your current glassware set if you're looking for something that has more of a modern day style.   Additionally, if you know someone who has recently moved into a new house or will be starting college soon, they make the perfect housewarming gift.

Keep the Double Wall Colored Glassware set in mind for all of your future glass needs both present and future.  You'll definitely recommend them to everyone you know!
Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Your Teeth Will Be Pearly White Thanks to Smile Brilliant

If you're a regular coffee, wine, or soda drinker, it's safe to say your teeth may be paying the price for those habits.  Without help, teeth can't stay white forever.  It's easy to feel ashamed or embarrassed of how your smile looks, but there's no reason to feel that way.  Smile Brilliant is here to help you regain that confidence!



Smile Brilliant is an at-home professional teeth whitening system that allows you to use it in the comfort of your own home.  Many people like myself dislike going to the dentist.  Some may refuse to go because of a general fear of the dentist, or because they don't have dental insurance.  Those worries are a thing of the past now.  The teeth whitening system for upper and lower teeth offers custom fitted teeth whitening trays that are formed to fit your teeth with precision.  The trays are identical to those used by the dentist, but the price tag is about 70% less! The best part is the postage for the dental impressions plus the trays is covered by the lab 100%.


With the professional teeth whitening gel, you can have a beautiful smile in no time! The gel syringes come in an order of 3, 6, or 9.  Three syringes guarantee 9 to 12 whitening sessions, six syringes can get you 18 to 24 sessions, while nine syringes promise 27 to 36 sessions.  The system can be done on your own time and convenience.  The average person should use the product daily for 1 week at 1-3 hours per session.  The time will vary depending on tooth sensitivity and severity of tooth stains.  If you notice any sensitivity, there's a special desensitizing whitening gel to make you feel more comfortable.  


I've never been a huge fan of my teeth and have had my chompers professionally whitened in the past.  It was uncomfortable and I spent many hours in the dentist's chair.  I'd love to be able to use a system on my own terms and not pay a hefty price for it either.  What could be better? 

Before you know it, your teeth concerns will be a distant memory.  You'll want to confidently smile and show off those beautiful pearly whites any chance you get. 



Saturday, August 20, 2016

Bring The Family for a Fun-Filled Day at Quassy Amusement Park

There's nothing like experiencing something for the first time, especially through the eyes of a child. Even the simplest things are magical to a child, and it's wonderful to see.  Making memories and doing things together as a family is what life is all about.



Quassy Amusement and Water Park is a fabulous family attraction that's recently celebrated 108 years of fun.  Located on Lake Quassapaug in Middlebury, Connecticut, it offers a variety of classic and newer theme park rides, as well as a water park for the whole family to enjoy.  Your little ones will have a blast on kiddie rides like the Boat Ride or Jet Fighters.  

Make a stop afterwards to cool off at Quassy's Splash Away Bay water park.  Your older kids as well as adults will enjoy riding thrill rides like Wooden Warrior or Paratrooper. Since the park is situated on a lake, you can also partake in other activities like paddle boats or take a ride on the Quassy Queen.  Don't forget to play some arcade or midway games to win some fun prizes. Cap the visit off with a delicious lunch or dinner as well as ice cream at Quassy's many eateries.  It'll surely be a trip to remember!


Last summer, Scarlett was barely crawling let alone walking.  This summer is a whole different story, she's up and moving and extremely active! She loves any kind of water park or splash pad, so we knew Quassy's Splash Away Bay would be right up her alley.  You should see how excited she gets at the sight of water! We've never been to Quassy before, and knew it would be a fun thing for the whole family to experience together.  With something for everyone at the park, how could you not love it? 

As soon as you enter the gates of Quassy, you're met with a theme park that is intimate and welcoming.  Everywhere you turn there is an element of fun or something not to be missed. This establishment doesn't look like your everyday theme park, but it offers something much more special.



We made our way to the Splash Away Bay water park first since it's what Scarlett would be most interested in.  There's a section for younger children as well as a section for families with older children too.  Scarlett had an absolute blast and enjoyed every minute of her time there.  What child wouldn't love water fountains everywhere they turn? She even went down the kiddy water slides with her dad, what a lucky girl! The water was icy cold and perfectly refreshing on a hot sunny day like today.  There are regular water slides for all ages that anyone would enjoy.









Once you've had your fill of the water attractions, there is plenty else to see and do in the park.  The Quassy Zoo is cute and perfect for letting your child get some energy out while they get up close with animal friends.  If you have an animal obsessed child like Scarlett, they'll love it even more!




You can't pass up the fun kiddy rides either! Scarlett had the opportunity to go on rides by herself for the first time.  She's a fearless child and really liked it! She also went with me on a few too.  The train ride is wonderful for kids and families as it takes you on two loops around the whole park.  Sit back and enjoy while you take in all of what Quassy has to offer.



When you decide you want a break from the park fun, there are many eateries available to make your belly happy.  The Quassy restaurant is perfect for lunch or dinner and they have a variety of options to please everyone.


The park is clean and well maintained while the staff is willing to help with whatever you may need. My family and I had a wonderful first time experience at Quassy Amusement Park and can guarantee that we'll be back in the future!  The establishment really caters to individuals of all ages which ensures that everyone will have a good time.

If you're looking for something fun for the entire family, it's time to make a trip to Quassy.

*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Quassy Amusement Park for providing us with complimentary passes in order to facilitate this post.  All thoughts are strictly my own. 




Thursday, August 18, 2016

College Students Will Have a Great School Year With These Products +Giveaway

Do you have a child or relative who is starting college this year? Whether they're starting their first year or their fourth, you can guarantee that they will need key items to ensure this year be the best one yet!

Not so many years ago, I was in college.  I went to school in New York City and was extremely fortunate to have a world of culture (and food!) at my disposal.  Those four years involved lots of studying and papers, memories, and of course friends.  At the end of my final year, having to write a 15 page paper no longer even phased me. 

If you are beginning your journey into the world of college, you'll certainly need a few things to help you with your newest chapter.  What you need goes beyond pencils and notebooks, and even new bedding.  

To start your mornings off right, your dorm kitchen certainly needs an IMUSA Espresso and Cappuccino maker.  That burst of caffeine in the morning will certainly keep you awake and alert and ready for those early morning classes, as well as late-night study sessions!  In just minutes, you'll be able to whip up fresh espresso or create a homemade creamy cappuccino using the milk frother.  The practical design allows for brewing up to four cups of espresso at once.  




It's so easy to gain weight while in college.  For the first time in a student's life, they are on their own.  They are free to make their own food choices and their parents aren't there to control what they eat.   Study sessions may lead to ordering pizza, chowing down on baked goods, or eating things that aren't figure friendly.  Trust me on this, I gained weight my first year of college.  It wasn't a pretty sight! 

To keep those pounds at bay, keep a T-Fal Ingenio Apple Wedger nearby.  This handy little apple slicer will be your best friend anytime you're having a sugar craving.  It's also especially important for keeping a healthy diet too.  An apple is naturally sweet and will help you control those treat urges.  The wedger features an extended blade for a crisp, clean cut straight through the apple skin.  For a healthy snack, dip the apple slices in peanut butter.

Snacks are practically mandatory in every dorm room, of course! Stock your cabinets with foods that are brain healthy as well as tasty.  Dried fruits and nuts are wonderful choices.  If you are looking for something that packs a little sweetness, why not try Welch's Fruit Snacks? These irresistible gummies are a smart addition to any backpack or lunchbox.  You'll love that these easy-on-the-go pouches are made with real fruit, and contain 100% of the daily value of vitamin C and have no preservatives.


For Back to School season, Welch's Fruit Snacks have partnered with Feeding America to provide 1 million meals to children in need.  From now through October, buy any Welch's Fruit Snacks, take a picture of the packaging, and send your picture to Welch's and they'll donate $1 to Feeding America.  What a win-win for your tastebuds and people in need everywhere! 

With these products in hand, you'll guarantee to have a wonderful year at school that you'll remember forever.


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Breaks Will Do a Stay-At-Home-Mom Good

When I was handed my stay-at-home-mom badge in 2014, it was a time that was full of changes.  I was adjusting to not working for practically the first time in my life, and also was responsible for taking care of an 8 pound four ounce pooping and eating machine.

The first year of Scarlett's life was an exciting one.  I documented everything and anything. I took 15,000 pictures and vowed to never forget anything.  A rhythm and routine developed in my household with taking care of my house and my child at the same.  I was in a comfortable place and enjoying life.  Scarlett went to routine activities and playgroups that I took her to to encourage social and emotional development.



Scarlett is not the same tiny baby that she once was.  She now wants to run wild in my house exploring and discovering all that everything has to offer her.  While this child was once content with playing with a toy quietly on the floor, those days have passed.  I can only offer her so much at home, when I switch my title from mom to playmate. I'm not a teacher and have no certification to do so. Scarlett needs structure, independence, and a social outlet. It's not that she doesn't have structure and independence at home, but I knew it was time for her to participate in activities that are now for her age.

Starting in June, Scarlett started going to camp two days a week.  Her camp is run by the same preschool that she'll be attending in September.  The teacher is wonderfully creative and sends weekly outlines and schedules of what the children will be doing.  Each week has a different theme involving activities that meet the emotional, physical, and social developments that a child her age needs.  The best part is she will learn in a classroom environment, something that I cannot provide at home.


This summer has been a big milestone for Scarlett, she's old enough to be away from me for the first time in her life.  She's done amazing at camp drop-off and I couldn't be more proud. I'm raising her to be independent so it thrills me that she is ready to play and interact with her teachers.  It's important to me for her to have independence from me for the first time in her life.  On the other hand, this summer marks the first time that I've been away from Scarlett too.  I feel like this opportunity is a reward for saying you've put in so many hours and days, you get a break too.

Her camp is 3 hours a day and it allows me to have a little time to myself.  I can do whatever I want to do for those 180 minutes and you better believe I enjoy every minute. Whether I want to go the gym, prep dinner, or even continue my Gilmore Girls Netflix binge, you can bet I'll be doing it.  Time for myself used to be scarce during the week. When I pick her up, I feel refreshed and energized.  I'm excited to see her and I've missed her.  The break does us both good and allows me to parent better because of the time apart. If you are able to sign your toddler up for a drop-off activity, do so.  It'll be the best decision you can make.



Scarlett will also be starting pre-school and gymnastics in September which will allow me another break.  When I stop to think about how fast Scarlett is growing and changing, it does make me sad.  There's nothing I can do about that though.  What I can do is welcome the changes in our lives and accept that she's a very sweet girl who is kind, responsible, and loving.  She's everything I want her to be right now.  

Being a stay-home-mom is the hardest job in the world.  Your work day doesn't end at 5 pm, you're on call 24/7. You don't get time off or paid vacation.  There's nothing wrong with needing a break once in a while.  Having some time apart from your child will actually make you a better parent.  You'll come back relaxed and ready to dive right in, and your little one will be happy for a fun and exciting change.


Monday, August 15, 2016

The Complications And Delights Of Marrying Into A Ready-Made Family

Have you found someone you really love? It’s important to consider how your lives will change if you choose to take your relationship to the next level. And if there are children involved, there will be a lot of complications. Relationships are never simple, and often involve more people than just the couple involved. Does your partner have kids? You may need to consider the children’s other parent when you choose to take on a ready-made family.

Of course, there are so many wonderful benefits to having children. It doesn’t really matter if they are biologically yours. You can grow to love and nurture them as any responsible parent would. But it’s really important you don’t tread on the toes of the parents or grandparents. It can be tricky to find that balance that allows you to be there and to take responsibility for the children. Picking healthy options, and being aware of child safety can help you win approval from the other adults in the family.


Getting engaged is a huge undertaking when your partner has kids. You might choose to get the kids involved. Why not ask them to help you pick out a ring from a range like Tacori? Or maybe you can even invite them to be there for the proposal? After all, it’s not just a marriage you’re entering into. You’re accepting a proposal to become a valued member of the entire family.

No matter what age the children may be, there will undoubtedly be mixed feelings about any new living arrangements. And as you take on more of a parental role in the house, you may find you have one or two unpleasant battles. If you’ve not been a parent before, this can be hard for you to manage. If you have your own children to bring into the mix, there will be even more personality clashes to contend with! Spats are common, as are disagreements. The best way to tackle these occasional difficulties is to have very firmly established ground rules.


Children are so naturally loving and enjoy having lots of fun. If you can build a rapport with them that includes lots of fun activities, they’ll be delighted to share in your company. Your relationship will still benefit from lots of couple’s time. But you’ll also have the pleasure of enjoying so many more things. Kids are very active. Why not make time each weekend to head out to the play park or down to the activity center for some quality time with them?

When you’re living with children either on a part-time or full-time basis, their needs will always come first. It’s important you are willing to put aside your ‘grown-up’ activities from time to time. This doesn’t mean life becomes dull and boring. On the contrary, it offers plenty of opportunities to have fun. You can enjoy your time in ways you may have forgotten about over the years. And being there for the kids’ firsts is truly a privilege. Perhaps one of the best things about having kids around is that they will offer you just as much love and attention as you put in.

Saturday, August 13, 2016

Parental Worries Are Always There

Since starting my journey into parenthood in December of 2014, I've been very lucky. Scarlett was born healthy and had no major complications.  When she was an infant, she did have torticollis.  This resulted in her running out of room while I was pregnant, and her head became tilted to one side and stiff.  We had to do physical therapy and stretching exercises to correct the problem.  She also needed a special helmet that would help round out the back of her head which was flat.

All of this is common with torticollis.  We knew that this wasn't a life-threatening condition or one that couldn't be corrected with medical help, so we were fortunate.  Obviously you still worry as a parent while you're going through a situation like this, because you never know the end result until you're there.



Flash forward to present day and we've had no accidents or medical problems.  Scarlett sat up, rolled over, walked, and did most of her babyhood milestones on target.  One thing she hasn't done yet is talk.  She does babble quite a bit.  I'm doing my best to not be too concerned, but as each month rolls by and there's no sign of speech progression I can't help but start to wonder.

You see children in public who are younger than yours talking up a storm.  You have family members with little ones who said their first word at a year.  How can this not leave you worried? I've talked to my doctor about Scarlett's lack of speech, and she's not concerned. This does help to ease my thoughts, but doctors don't know everything of course.  Family members and friends frequently ask me if she's talking yet.  My answer is always the same. On the positive side, Scarlett is extremely non-verbal and can do most things you ask her to do.  The fact that she understands everything allows me to breathe a sigh of relief. 

My friend's children are around the same age as Scarlett's.  They know their colors, some letters of the alphabet, and animal names.  It's very difficult when you don't know exactly the grasp of your child's knowledge because they aren't speaking.  You feel guilty and automatically blame yourself, it's only normal.  


Scarlett often gets very frustrated when asking for something in the toy box and I can't figure out what it is.  Whether she wants the book buried at the bottom of the box, or the doll that's out of her reach she can't tell me.  She eventually starts crying and gets angry because she can't verbalize her needs.  It's incredibly difficult and we go through situations like this several times a day.  I go through several toys which she rejects and then I feel terrible because I have no idea what she wants.  

It does bother me that she doesn't talk.  When she tries to tell me things that are beyond what I understand, such as pointing at the wall, it's difficult.  I often think life would be easier if she spoke.  I find myself reading parenting message boards online featuring parents who are in the same boat as myself.  You then start to think negatively and say why isn't my child talking? Is something wrong with her? Does she need to be evaluated by a speech therapist? It can be so easy to automatically think you're not doing everything you can as a parent.  As long you interact with your child and teach them, you're doing everything humanly possible.  Sometimes there's nothing else you can do but wait.  

A lot can happen in a child's life in a week's time, or even a month.  Scarlett is a different child today than she was 5 months ago.  She's grown leaps and bounds and has such a personality.  I know that in just a short period of time, she'll be talking.  My child will probably be talking non-stop that I'll wish I had those non-verbal days back! As a parent, you'll worry about your children for the rest of their lives. That's what parenting is all about, and it's perfectly normal.



Thursday, August 11, 2016

Meal Ideas for Toddlers

My daughter Scarlett is a very easy eater.  She likes practically everything I serve her, and that makes life so much easier.  It can be very challenging to figure out what to feed your child when they refuse things. Hopefully you have a child who likes to eat like I do.

As a parent, I'm always looking for new things to make Scarlett for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since I don't have endless time to prepare meals with a 20 month old running around, my favorite things to make are quick and easy but still delicious.  Anything that I can make in volume is ideal, since it'll create leftovers that work for a meal for another day. Luckily since Scarlett has no food allergies or restrictions, everything is fair game. I always pair fruit or veggies with everything I make.  She's such a good eater that it makes cooking for her a pleasure. 

Here's some meal ideas that I've made in the past few weeks or months that will hopefully give you some food-spiration.  Happy cooking! 

Mini Turkey Pot Pies.  This combines cream of mushroom soup with chopped turkey, and peas and carrots.  Who wouldn't love the delicious crescent dough it's in too? It's so easy to whip up that you'll finding yourself wanting one too. You find the recipe here!  

Broccoli and Cheddar Bites.  If your child is a picky eater, this is a great way to get some veggies in by masking it with the taste of cheese!  The recipe is here

Ground chicken with peas and carrots.  This is a one bowl meal that combines delicious seasoned ground chicken with veggies.  Feel free to substitute with whatever veggie your child likes best.  My daughter goes nuts for peas and carrots, so that's our go-to. 

Homemade breaded chicken strips with mac and cheese and mixed veggies.  I take boneless skinless thin-sliced chicken breast and dip it in egg.  Then I take the egg mixture and toss it in Italian and garlic seasoned breadcrumbs and then cook it in a pan with a little oil.  It's crispy like a chicken nugget but without the deep-fried guilt.  My daughter loves them! The best part is that since the package of chicken is big, you'll have leftovers. 

Gnocchi with peas and carrots.  Gnocchi is one of my favorite types of pasta and I always order it when we go to Italian restaurants.  It's a fabulous potato filled pasta that is heavenly.  It's like eating a cloud! If your child likes a butter or garlic and oil sauce, do that instead.  I used marinara which is standard. 

Chicken and cheese quesadilla.  I make this at least once a week in my house.  I use grilled chicken strips since they're healthier than breaded.  You take two medium sized tortillas and put grilled chicken strips topped with lots of shredded cheddar cheese.  Put the remaining tortilla on top and cook in the oven on 350F for about 5 minutes.  You'll be presented with a crispy quesadilla that's like bringing a Mexican restaurant to the comfort of your home.  I usually serve with pineapple salsa on the side so Scarlett can dip it.  

This is a new recipe that I just made last week.  We went to the store and I saw a package of zucchini noodles or zoodles.  I've always wanted to try them, as I've heard wonderful things.  I sautéed the zoodles in olive oil and seasoned salt and then cut up grilled chicken and grape tomatoes.  The funny thing is that Scarlett loved it! It's a very adult meal that you don't typically think of a child liking, but mine did.  The best part about this meal is that you can use whatever you have in your fridge and it'll turn out amazing.  Throw in olives, cheese cubes, or even broccoli with it and it'll be a meal your little one will love! 

Turkey meatballs with mac and cheese, mixed veggies, and tomatoes.  Yes, the grape tomatoes are very random, but when you have a child who loves tomatoes they'll eat it with any meal! I like to substitute turkey or chicken for beef when I can, since it's healthier.  You can find these meatballs in any frozen food section of your local grocery store.  They are ready in minutes to delight your toddler's belly. 

Turkey meatballs, mixed veggies, and potato and cheddar pierogies.  Who doesn't love pierogies? I could eat them everyday, and so could Scarlett! 

Blueberries, strawberries, and a blueberry waffle.  One of my daughter's favorite breakfasts! I could eat it any day too.

Wheat toast with strawberry jelly, blueberries, and cheese eggs.  Feel free to not put cheese in the eggs if you'd prefer your child to not have it.  Blueberries are one of my daughter's favorite fruits so we alternate between them, strawberries, and apples!