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Fat Is The New 30 by The Sweet Potato Queen #Giveaway

March 27, 2012 By

“Life isn’t always perfect.  In fact, sometimes it is downright crappy. But when things start going South (no pun intended) you can always lean on the Queen.  The Sweet Potato Queen that is.”

Jill Conner Browne is back with her ninth book in The Sweet Potato Queen’s Series.  Fat Is The New 30 – The Sweet Potato Queen’s Guide to Coping with (the crappy parts of) Life is one of the most hysterical books I have ever read.  Chock full of - what I would call - very useful advice, Jill tackles some of the crappiest life topics  many of us have had to overcome.

Jill expounds on the (non-existent) perfect mother, also known as the Mom I’d Love to Meet (M.I.L.M), those poor PPJTSTTs (Pitiful People Just Trying to Survive Their Teenager), and why spa time should be considered a life necessity with legislation introduced to provide it. In the chapter, “All We Need is Love and Maybe a Dyson” Jill reminds readers why four-legged friends are the answer for most problems. “Life is hard on a good day. It‘s just not safe to be dog-free.” And the section “Etiquette for Recessions / Depressions / Inflations,” is a must-read for all of us who feel like we “got next-to-no money, no prospects for gettin‘ any and what little we do have won‘t buy much any more.” Jill’s most poignant piece, the essay on caring for her dying mother with grace and humor, might just be the crown jewel of the collection.

The best part about this book for me is that I can totally see one of my crazy Aunts or Grandmothers giving this very same advice.   Since all of my family is from the South, advice like “Nobody can argue with nonsense” and “Good grief go put some lipstick on” is actually almost common place.   All followed with a good dose of “Bless her heart” of course.

I have not finished reading the entire book, because I mostly read at night and since this book will literally make you laugh out loud, I have had to put it down a few times for fear of waking the entire house.     I loved it so much though, that I have downloaded the other books to my Kindle already to read as well.  I had not heard of The Sweet Potato Queen before this, but you can bet I am singing her praises – and sharing her advice.   The “Divorce Vows” are not only one of the funniest things I have ever read, but should be spread among every divorced – or in process divorcees – women across the Globe.

Fat Is The New 30 is chock-full of advice on living—even when life is kind of crappy—from a woman who herownself, really does. Bless her sparkly little heart.

GIVEAWAY:

I am very excited to be able to offer THREE of my readers their very own copy of Fat Is The New 30 – The Sweet Potato Queen’s Guide to Coping with (the crappy parts of) Life.

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Comment below telling me one tip for how you deal with or have overcome some “crappy” parts of life.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

  • Follow MoscatoMom on Twitter {2 extra entries}
  • Tweet about giveaway {up to 3 times per day 1 extra entry each tweet} –
    “Win a copy of Fat Is The New 30 – by The Sweet Potato Queen from @moscatomom http://wp.me/p1FWxe-15U Ends 4/10 US Only #giveaway“
  • Follow me on Stumble Upon and stumble this post {1 extra entry}
  • Comment on another post on MoscatoMom.com {2 extra entries}

Make sure you leave 1 comment for each entry to get credit!! Contest ends April 10th, 2012.


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Alexia Foods – Sweet Potato Fries

December 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I LOVE sweet potato fries.  Way more than “normal” fries.  They just seem to have more flavor.  The fact that they are better for you than normal fries is just an added bonus.   But the problem has always been having to go to a restaurant to get sweet potato fries!  When our local Times Grill closed I was crushed – it was the only place I knew that served them!  Few meals are better than a nice hot cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and ranch dressing to dip in.  Mmmm…

I was so excited when I was asked to review Alexia Foods Sweet Potato Fries and Puffs.  FINALLY – sweet potatoes at HOME!

Alexia is an all-natural food company best known for their wide range of delicious appetizers, breads, fries, potatoes and sweet potatoes in the freezer section. From classic Oven Crinkle Fries seasoned with sea salt and cracked black pepper to Alexia’s newest Sweet Potato Puffs made from farm-fresh sweet potatoes, all of Alexia’s gourmet-inspired side dishes pair perfectly with any dish and go from freezer to table in around 20 minutes-great for any family meal!

Of course I had to try the sweet potato fries paired with a cheese burger – just to compare to our usual Football Sunday meal from Times Grill.  They were PERFECT!  Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside – even from the oven!  And they had the great restaurant flavor that I love.  The girls gobbled up every last one of them.

Alexia Foods can be purchased at many grocery stores around the country.  To find one near you, use their Store Finder on their website. You can even print a coupon to take with you to check them out.

I am so excited to get to make my favorite Sunday Football meal from home from now on


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Tailgating Tater Muffins – aka. Loaded Potato Boats Recipe

October 2, 2011 By 4 Comments

Yesterday we were invited to a football party to watch Alabama stomp Florida.   My heart belongs to the Seminoles but I do love Alabama… and of course I root for whoever is playing against the Gators…

I wanted to bring something unique to the party and something that would be fun for the girls and I to make together.  Mike had the idea for potato skins, but I wanted something with a bit more… personality.  A little brainstorming, a little internet searching, a little trial and error, and Tailgating Tater Muffins were born!

Ingredients:

four large russet baking potatoes

cooking spray

2 tbs margarine

1 cup bacon bits

1 cup cheddar cheese

sour cream

Begin by cutting up the potatoes like french fries and boil for about 6 minutes or until soft.  Add margarine and mash, leaving some chunks in the mix.

Now the fun part begins.   Spray down your muffin pans with a lot of cooking spray.   This will keep them from sticking so don’t be stingy.  Then spoon in the mix into each muffin and hollow out the center, making sure to leave enough at the very bottom to keep the muffin firm.  Make sure to leave plenty on the sides – you will be filling the “hole” in the center with all kinds of yumminess.  This was the Tween’s favorite part.

Once you are happy with your “muffins” spray the top with cooking spray again and bake at 400* for 30-45 minutes or until brown and crispy.   Use a fork to gently remove your “muffins” and fill with whatever toppings you choose.   You can also fill fill cheese and bacon bits and bake for about 10 minutes… making sure not to forget them in the oven like I did.  Top with sour cream, chives, and whatever other toppings you choose.

These were a huge hit at the party and were simple and “fun” enough that we will make again and again.  They taste just like loaded potato skins, but with a little bit of crunch!

Next time I am thinking I will make some with sweet potatoes and top with cinnamon, sugar, and marshmallows!  :)